Stanley Michael Mears

Stanley Michael Mears, 78, passed away Tuesday, October 4, in Amarillo, Texas.

Stanley Michael (Mike) Mears was born on January 24, 1944, in Jones, Oklahoma to Stanley and Roxie (Thomas) Mears.  He played football and graduated from Jones High School and enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War.  It was an honor for him to serve his country and ended his military career as Buck Sargent.  He qualified to join special forces before a back injury honorably discharged him.  He returned to finish college and graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a business degree.  Mike was a great salesman and was promoted throughout his career at jobs in Crested Butte, Colorado, Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Amarillo, Texas.  He retired from Southwest X-Ray in Amarillo.

Mike loved the outdoors and after trips to Colorado decided he wanted to make it home.  He bought a grocery store in Crested Butte, Colorado.  During that time Mike also received his real estate license, worked in property management and had a love of leading horseback treks through the mountains.

As much as he loved riding his bicycles in the mountains, he grew tired of all the snow and bought a boat rental business in St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands).  After a hurricane destroyed much of the Virgin Islands in 1995, Mike came back to Colorado to work in sales before moving to Amarillo, Texas, where he met and married Sharon Bixler in 2000.  They started building a great life together riding their Harleys on long trips to the mountains and cruising the seas with their friends.

Mike loved being outdoors and was always planning a fishing or hunting trip.  He especially loved bow hunting “just to give them a chance”.

Mike was skilled at many things and built a beautiful lake home on Greenbelt Lake where he and Sharon enjoyed their retirement, gardening and fishing and just spending time with his two constant companion Australian Shepherds, Gunner and Shadow. They will miss their belly rubs and love from Mike.

Mike’s son, Shawn, said that his father was consistent, reliable, hard-working, wise and believed a man was only as good as his word.  Mike was the real deal, very charming and someone who played kick the can with the kids.  He was truly loved by all.  He had a lot of sayings but his favorite one started out “If a bullfrog carried a .45…”.  If you knew Mike you could finish this for him.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, sister Marilyn Mears and brother, Johnnie Dale Mears.

He was a loving and generous husband, father, stepdad and grandfather.  He is survived by his wife Sharon Mears, a son, Shawn Mears and wife Jamie of Owasso, Oklahoma, a stepdaughter, Jennifer Bixler Staggs and husband Robby of Amarillo, a stepson, Bradley Bixler of Amarillo and two grandchildren, MaKenna Mears and Sawyer Mears of Owasso, Oklahoma.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to a charity of your choice.