Robert Bruce Spears Sr.

On August 1, 2011, Robert Spears Sr., longtime resident of Lake Stevens, WA and more recently Granite Falls, WA, passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Born on April 12, 1928 in Randle, WA Bob was the youngest of three siblings and two cousins (who grew up in the household). He was raised on a farm with cows, goats and a couple thousand chickens. At the age of 16, Bob went to work for the forest service as a fire scout. During the summers he would be isolated in a 14 by 14 sq ft building with a wood stove and a phone line to call the Ranger Station if he spotted a fire. Bob had a number of jobs, including Triway, Weyerhauser and eventually retiring from Scott Paper in 1990.

Bob married Euleen (Aiken), in 1960 after a ten year courtship. In 1961, they had their first born, Robert Jr. and four years later Brian, became a part of the family. He enjoyed taking the family camping to Verlot and Lake Goodwin. Sometimes with his rotating schedule, he would set up the family campsite and travel to and from work, so the family could enjoy camping.

He also enjoyed going to Robert Jr's basketball games and Brian's baseball and football games, when he could. Gardening was a big passion of his life. He had a huge garden and he and Euleen would can numerous jars of beans, pickles and sauerkraut.

Soon after moving to the Village Senior Center in Granite Falls, WA, his wife of 44 years, Euleen, preceded him in death.

Bob continued to live at the Village where he became close to a wonderful lady, Vivian Erickson. The two of them could not be separated as they found love late in life. They enjoyed spending time playing cards, watching the Mariners and playing Wii Bowling. Bob even mastered the game, with several 300 games. Trips to Alaska and Hawaii were special moments in their short time together.

Bob is survived by his two sons, Robert Jr, (Tanna) and Brian; stepdaughters, Sandra Jo Dunn (Ken) and Martha Jean Johnson; former daughter-in-law, Kelly Spears; four grandchildren, Joshua, Riley, Jessica and Kramer; numerous step-grandchildren, great step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at the Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery, located at 4504 Broadway, Everett, WA, August 4, 2011, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception.