Christopher Lea Wear

Chris was born October 13, 1944 (Friday) in Pasadena, CA to Lenora Madeline (White) and David Walker Wear III. He later moved to Binghamton, NY to be raised by his paternal grandparents. There he attended West Junior High School and then graduated from The Manlius School in Syracuse, NY. Chris attended Toledo University just after high school, transferred to Delhi University in NY finally transferring to and graduating from Florida State University. He majored in hotel and restaurant management.

Chris completed United States Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport RI before serving in the Philippines and Vietnam. He was honorably discharged as Lieutenant JG.

For many years off and on, Chris was employed by Howard Johnson’s Motels at several of their locations. He was also employed by his “other family” at Scott’s Oquaga Lake House in Deposit, NY. It is at Scott’s that he met his future wife, Colleen Hogan. They married May 31, 1975, and were blessed with their only child, daughter Kiersten Marie in 1978 born in Johnson City, NY.

In 1980, the small Wear family moved to Charlotte, NC where Chris managed one of the local Howard Johnson Motels. Throughout the years living in Charlotte, Chris worked at many different jobs including Lowes, Home Depot, Quail Hollow Country Club and as a sales representative for supplier of products to Lowes and Home Depot.

In late 2021, Chris and Colleen decided to move to New Bern, NC for a slower lifestyle, as well as to be closer to their daughter and to the beach. Chris was an avid sports fan all his life. He played lacrosse in his teens. His favorite teams were FSU all sports, NASCAR, Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Hornets as well as the LA Dodgers.

At midnight on Monday July 28, Chris succumbed to a lung condition brought on by a “routine” surgery late April 2023 at which time he was placed on a ventilator for over the next 2 years. During this period, he was cared for at a short-term facility in Rocky Mount, NC and then in a long-term facility in Martinsville, VA which is where he was at the time of his death.

Chris will be lovingly missed by his wife of over 50 years, Colleen, daughter, Kiersten (Matt) Jones, step granddaughter, Jennifer. Also surviving is his mother-in-law, Ellen Hogan, brother, David (Nancy) Walker Wear IV, nieces Tami Wear and Kris (John) Wear Strain. Many Wear/Mitchell cousins, as well as brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews by marriage.

Chris was predeceased by his beloved dog, Kasey on December 3, 2024, as well as special cousins, John Mitchell and David Mitchell, his brothers in law Jim Balla and Terry Nicolini.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation starting at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church in New Bern, NC where he became a member upon moving to New Bern. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus from his time living in Charlotte. Burial will be at noon on Friday, August 8, 2025 at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, NC with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to ASPCA, St. Jude Research Hospital or Wounded Warriors.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family and friends of Christopher Lea Wear.