My Friend Zeke Spears, My Brother in Christ passed away from Cancer October 18, 2011. He was a brilliant man, I do miss him. I have attached a letter that that tells you all about my friend as I celebrate his life. LTC Myron “Zeke” Spears, Jr. This letter was written to tell you about a very special man, soldier, husband, father, and grandfather. He was a loyal and conscientious soldier dedicated to his country, work, and family. LTC Myron “Zeke” Spears, Jr. was born in Salina, Kansas on October 22, 1954. He graduated in 1972 from Layton High School in Utah. He was a member of the Honor Society and received a Presidential appointment to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated cum laude in 1976. After graduating from West Point he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and attended the Armor Basic course at Fort Knox. He was then assigned to the 10th Calvary at Fort Carson, Colorado where he served as a Scout Platoon Leader and Specialty Platoon Leader. Following his first assignment, he attended the Armor Advance Career Course, and was assigned to the 1st Brigade 1st Armored Division where he served with distinction as the Brigade Headquarters Company Commander. His performance as a Company Commander was so exceptional Captain Spears was given a rare opportunity to command a second company leading the soldiers of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, and 81st Armor. Captain Spears was nominated and selected among a small elite group of Armor Officers to attend the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. He earned a Masters of Science Degree in Operations Research and Systems Analysis and graduated magna cum laude in 1987. Major Spears was assigned to TRAC at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where he led numerous research/analysis’s groups overseeing important studies for the Army. These studies later provided the framework for future Army force structures, equipment design, and their operational employment concepts. These concepts were required to support mounted warfare operations in the 21st century. In 1991 Major Spears attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, graduating in the top 10% of his class. Major Spears was then assigned as a lead analyst in the Combat Development Directorate at Fort Knox. While there he developed and tested numerous armor and Calvary models that helped define future combat systems equipment and force structure requirements. His next assignment was to the 1st Squadron 16th Calvary where he served as the Squadron Executive Officer leading the maintenance and sustainment of the Army’s largest tank fleet. Assignment to the Recruiting Command at Fort Knox was next for Lieutenant Colonel Spears. He served in the Deputy Programs and Analysis Division. He was responsible for conducting complex modeling and simulations studies to accurately determine the Army requirements by exact type and numbers. These important findings were used by USAREC to meet the future manning requirements by the Army. In recognition of his outstanding work LTC Spears was selected by the Commanding General to lead his strategic studies group where he prepared materials used by USAREC and the Commanding General to articulate the manning readiness and challenges at all levels of Command, the Pentagon, and Congress. LTC Spears retired from the Army after serving 21 years of dedicated service, where he made countless contributions. Some of his decorations and awards include The Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 0LC, Army Commendation with 1 0LC, Army Achievement Medal 2 OLC, and National Defense Ribbon with two stars. He was also a qualified army parachutist. After Zekes military retirement, he used his analytical skills at Humana, Inc, Booz Allen, and Boeing Company. He was also a certified engineer. Zeke made a positive impact in the lives of those he served throughout both careers. His love for serving and helping others continued into his retirement by teaching college algebra and statistics for Elizabethtown Community College and Western Kentucky University. Zeke wanted to continue serving the military and veterans so he joined he Rolling Thunder Organization. He believed in their mission to help veterans, MIA’s and POW’s. He enjoyed visiting veterans at the VA hospital. This allowed him to thank them for their service and helped lift their spirits through prayer. He participated with Rolling Thunder in various events throughout the United States assisting wounded soldiers and families. He made the annual Run to the Wall for several years supporting veterans’ organizations and helped champion their concerns to military/political leaders throughout Kentucky and Washington, D.C. Zeke was a member of Southeast Christian Church where he volunteered in the Children’s Ministry. He was a member of the Emmaus Community and Derby City Disciples Christian Motorcycle Association. LTC Myron “Zeke” Spears, Jr. was a great son, soldier, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He continues to be greatly missed by his wife, children, family and friends. He will forever be remembered for his sacrifices and the love/support he gave to his family and friends. Putting everyone’s needs before his own made him the truly amazing man that will forever remain in our hearts and on our minds.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 02:03:51 +0000
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