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After a lengthy illness, and surrounded by family, Dick Lear passed away on July 24, 2016. Born December 3, 1935 in Anthony, Kansas, Dick began working at Rainbo Bakery in Wichita, KS at 19 years old. Within 18 months he was the number two salesman and at 21 he had become a supervisor. In 1974, he moved his family to Fort Worth, Texas and two years later relocated to Irving to be a sales manager at Manor Bread. At 36, one position away from running his own bakery, Dick’s dream changed. He quit the bakery and became an independent distributor of Pepperidge Farm Bread. After a few years at Pepperidge Farm, Dick, with the help of others’ financial backing, risked everything to open his first Sonic Drive-In on May 1, 1974 on Pioneer Drive in Irving. Dick’s life was characterized by this quote, which was his favorite: “Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t.” (Unknown). It was through his success with the Sonic Drive-Ins that Dick was able to influence many in his community. He received Sonic’s highest award for individual recognition, the Troy Smith Award, in 1995. Through Sonic, Dick employed many Irving Schools students and helped with many of their fundraisers. Dick received many honors and awards from the Irving Independent School District: an honorary lifetime membership in Texas PTA in recognition of distinguished service to children and youth, the Golden Apple Award for Irving Schools in 1996, and he was inducted into the inaugural class of IISD Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 for his many contributions to Irving Schools. Dick and Jolene also established the Lindsey Lear Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of their precious granddaughter, Lindsey Lear. One of his greatest honors, and a memorable highlight for Dick, occurred in late 2015 and early 2016 when Dick and his wife, Jolene, were celebrated with a flag pole dedication and the dedication of the Dick and Jolene Lear Competition Field for their many donations to the city of Irving and the Irving Independent School District. Always the champion of others, Dick was also awarded the 2010 Community Builder Award, the highest honor bestowed on a nonmember, by the Irving Masonic Lodge for his support of Irving and for his notable contributions for civic and philanthropic efforts. Dick was also the recipient of the High Spirited Award for Irving, served on the Irving Chamber of Commerce, and attended the Los Colinas Rotary Club. Dick Lear is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Jolene Feist Lear, four children: Pam Lear Bolger, Kevin Lear and wife Carla, Patrick Lear and wife Mary Jo, Jason Lear and wife Lynn; grandchildren Tyler Lear, Megan Weimer, Jordan Bolger, Corey Bolger, Hannah Lear, Brooke Lear, and Gracie Lear. The family would like to convey sincere thanks to the nurses of Encompass Home Health and Hospice, and the caretakers from Right At Home for their compassionate care for our dad this past year. We are honored and humbled by the many, many friends who have taken their time to visit our dad and mom. Many of you made numerous visits. We will be forever thankful. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2016 with visitation to begin at 6:00 p.m. continuing after the service until 8:00 p.m. On Thursday, July 28, 2016 a Mass of Christian Burial to be said at 10:00 a.m. Both events occurring at Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Church located at 2323 Cheyenne in Irving. Burial will follow in the Garden of Memory nearby Lindsey at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Irving School Foundation Scholarship Fund in Lindsey Lear’s name (irvingschoolsfoundation.org/scholarships).

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