Just now learned of Jack's passing; and wept at that, and wept also to learn that Josie too is gone...they were instrumental in helping me get my frame shop off the ground almost 9 years ago when I bought what Jack had left of Mears Picture Framing after his retirement. I will never forget going to visit them to look at his stuff (while still a Michaels framer), and them taking our then-little kids around their yard on their lawn tractor, lol...and then on the same visit when Jack was showing me how to use the Morso chopper for the first time and made me try it myself, I accidentally barely brushed my pinkie nail against the chopper blade as I drew my hands back after chopping the scrap, and it cut right through the middle of my nail into the nail bed. haha.  He felt so bad...I just laughed because I felt utterly stupid; it never did hurt much such a clean cut it made.  Needless to say I have held the utmost respect for that machine ever since, and have never cut myself on it again...knock on wood. :) I do have to say I still think of him EVERY time I use it. 

I have seen them a couple times since getting my shop established in Derby and have always welcomed them with open arms; shared a lot of hilarious FW emails...talked framing...oohed and ahhhed over projects we have in our scrapbooks...exchanged Christmas cards, and really, truly feel the loss of a terrific, encouraging mentor with a wickedly funny sense of humor, oh, it hurts to hear they are BOTH gone.  I cannot imagine what you his family feel in losing these two but know that you can fully appreciate the awesome lives they led and the thousands of customers they helped and cared for; I felt taken under their wing when I started out and was eternally grateful for the nudge they helped to give me and the advice and laughter and all the rest, that helped my shop get off the ground.  I only regret that I had not seen them in recent years, though I knew their health was frail.  Truly sad to have missed his service last week as I would have surely closed shop and attended in his honor, as he has had a profound impact on my life and I am helpless to thank him for it now.   

In the recent months of extreme economic hardship I have agonized over whether to close shop; but after just now learning of Jack and Josie slipping the surly bonds of earth....feel inspired anew to keep this enterprise going and to find a way to make it work, in their loving memory.  So thanks Jack, and Josie too; love you both, and to your family, you have been blessed with the best...I am deeply sorry for your loss.  --Sue Smith, Artistic Angles Custom Picture Framing

I just learned of Jack's passing today. I will miss talking with him and trading jokes and receipes. Both he and Josie will be missed greatly. To the family, my deepest sympathy to all of you. Thanks Jack for the laughs.  Cindy Means

Hey, Bud. You're gonna be missed.(especially our phone conversations and your quirky reciepes) Brother Jim

Jack and Josie were great people.  Wings games would not have been the same without them.  They both are missed. 

BC

If tears could build a staircase to heaven, I would build it and bring you right back down here where you belong.  I love you dearly, my friend.  You will be missed.  

Pam Cooley

My father, mother and I often shopped at Mears Custom Framing, and were always treated like family by John and Josephine.  We always enjoyed visiting with them.  My prayers and sympathy to the family for your loss.

Jack was a very dear friend of ours and will be deeply missed.   Charles Wilson and Valjean Young

OBITUARY

John Clayton Mears Jr.

July 27, 1924 – September 11, 2010

Resthaven Mortuary & Gardens of Memory

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