Jasper T. Spears

Jasper “Jay” Spears, of Palm Coast, FL, passed into the arms of our Heavenly Father on November 15, 2025. Raised in Cumberland County, KY, son of the late Erby and Ilar (Rowe) Spears of Burkesville, KY, Jay was born December 27, 1932. He moved with his parents to Indiana (circa 1947) and enjoyed a first job at White Castle.

Jasper served his country by joining the U.S. Army during the Korean War in 1953 and later, the National Guard, leaving as SFC in 1968. A career with the Army as a civilian waited for Jasper and he worked many projects but his favorite, by far, was his work on the Black Hawk Helicopter and he later retired from federal service with Aviation and Missile Command (AVSCOM) and Troop Support and Aviation Material Readiness Command (TSARCOM) earning awards for his leadership of A Team on the original Sikorsky Black Hawk UH-60 helicopter project from Hawaii to Connecticut.

Besides his parents and the many blessed ancestors that interested him, Jasper was predeceased by his first love, wife Rubye Jeneva Belle Pepper of llll, OK in 2004 as well as brothers Richard and Esco Spears and stepson Christopher Pio.

Together, Jay and Rubye raised two wonderful daughters, Kristi (David) Hainline and Kimela (Roger) Kluthe, while living in Cahokia, Illinois. They retired to Connecticut in 2003 where Rubye passed in 2004.

Jay met Karen (Miller) Pio in CT in 2007. They moved to and married in Florida in 2011, sharing many fun, interesting and happy years. Besides his beloved Karen, who cared for him at home (dementia), he also happily embraced his step-sons, the late Christopher Pio (2023) also Adam (Lourdes), and Jason (Tania) Pio.

Jay enjoyed and was proud of his grandchildren: Jack (Selda), Unison, Jay (Keilah) Kelner, and Jake Hainline, and his step-grandchildren: Gina (Nicholas) Marino and Nicholas, Fallyn, Jacob, Emma, Ania, and Leyla Pio.

Jasper developed a love of trains with his favorite Uncle Jimmie and for many years he’d work part time as Brakeman for the Terminal Railroad. Working on the Railroad become one of his all time favorite pastimes.

Jay was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, ELKS, American Legion, NARFE, AARP Volunteers, and the Masonic Lodge.

A man of deep integrity, strength, charm and quiet honor, Jay devoted much of his retirement to volunteering at Scott Air Force Base, helping fellow veterans file taxes and secure the VA benefits they had earned. Later, he worked for AARP doing the same.

This is a man who will be fondly remembered. This is a man who will be forever missed. He will be remembered with love for his loyalty, quiet strength, and devotion to family and country.