Richard Harper Mr. Lumber Shears 1928-2015 Obituary
Richard Harper “Mr. Lumber” Shears, 87, a resident of Elkins, passed from this life Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Davis Medical Center in Elkins.
Richard was born Monday, March 19, 1928 in Arbovale, a son of the late Richard H. Shears and Gladys Gillispie Shears.
On July 23, 1955 in Elkins, he was married to the former Janet J. Jones, who survives.
Others left to cherish Richard’s memory are five children, Sheryl E. Mullinax and husband, Robert of Virginia, Debra S. Gillespie and husband, Richard of Franklin, Louise McAtee and husband, Paul of Beverly, Brian Shears and wife, Patty of Elkins, and David Shears and wife, Kelly of North Carolina, one sister, Wilma “Lenore” Cooper of Inwood, one brother, Duane Shears and wife, Irene of Charles Town, fourteen grandchildren, Jeffrey, Neena, Paul David, Paula, Adam, Lauren, Joni, Heather, Ryan, Courtney, Michael, Nathan, Emily and Aaron, and six great grandchildren. Preceding Richard in death was one brother, Glenn Shears and one sister, Marilyn Lindsay.
Richard was a graduate of Beverly High School with the class of 1946, had received a certificate of completion from the National Hardwood Lumber Inspection School, and had proudly served as Staff Sgt. with the United States Air Force having been stationed in North Africa during the Korean Conflict.
He began his lumber career with Frank E. Wilson Lumber Company in Craddock.
He worked as a lumber grader for National Hardwood Lumber Association and had also worked for Coastal Lumber Company.
He contracted out for other local sawmills and at one time, owned and operated RH Shears & Son Lumber Company which was initially located in Clarksburg before moving to Belington. Richard loved woodworking and teaching lumber inspecting as he had taught hundreds of young people the trade that he loved so much.
It was a great honor for this man, nearly 87 years old, to be called upon to teach as recent as last week.
He was a very loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather and will be greatly missed. A visitation will be held at the Randolph Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 from 4PM until 6PM, the funeral hour.
Rev. Leon Brown will officiate and members of the H.W. Daniels Post #29, American Legion, and the Tygarts Valley Post #3647, Veterans of Foreign Wars will provide military honors. Richard’s request for cremation will then be honored.
Contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to HW Daniels Post #29, American Legion’s Little Arlington Cemetery, 326 Railroad Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241.
Richard Harper Mr. Lumber Shears 1928-2015 Obituary
