Reverend Bobby Lee Spear

The Chronicles of Reverend Bobby Lee Spear (June 23, 1928 – January 17, 2024)

Reverend Bobby Lee Spear, whose life was marked by an unwavering dedication to his faith, a love for Thailand and its people, and a passion for entertaining his grandchildren, passed away on January 17, 2024.

In the quaint town of Okmulgee, where whispers of stories swirled like the Oklahoma wind, a spirited adventurer was born to Silas and Ruby Spear in June 1928. While Bob's early years were marked by the rolling landscapes of Okmulgee, Quinton, Fox, and Wetumka, he was destined for a life of extraordinary journeys. Against the backdrop of crimson sunsets and the wild beauty of Tornado Alley's vivid skies, a spirited athlete emerged, with feet as fleet as the prairie winds and dreams that reached beyond the plains. Oklahoma Baptist University beckoned, offering a scholarship to the talented young runner. Bob established himself as a dynamic force on the track and a leader within the Baptist Student Union, earning the title of the Best All-Around Man, and leaving an indelible mark on the campus.

Amidst the echoes of his triumphs, Bob’s soul raced towards a higher calling. Ordained as a minister and armed with an indomitable spirit, on weekends he traded his running shoes for the open road, thumb outstretched, hitchhiking through the rolling hills of Eastern Oklahoma to preach and touch lives, one small congregation at a time.

On an auspicious day in August 1951, Bob's journey found a kindred spirit and fellow adventurer in Jeannie Butler, who shared his fervor for life and love for God. Together, they ventured into the New Orleans Theological Seminary where they answered a call to a new horizon – Thailand. In the Land of Smiles, they found their second home and raised four children among golden temples and emerald mountains, vibrant markets, and tranquil rice fields. For nearly four decades, Bob and Jeannie nurtured a legacy of hope and faith by planting churches and sowing seeds of faith and community, their hearts forever intertwined with the land and its people.

Retiring in 1994, Bob and Jeannie returned to their roots in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where Bob became an active member and ordained Deacon at First Baptist Church. Over the next few decades, Bob and Jeannie's home stood as a haven, its doors wide open to any weary traveler seeking refuge. Their home, adorned with artifacts from their adventures, was more than just a house; it was a sanctuary for kindred spirits and wandering souls, where differences were celebrated, and similarities discovered. Over pots of coffee, or cups of Thai tea, guests could gather and share stories. Of love found in unexpected places, of challenges overcome, and of the universal threads that bind us together. Bob's weathered harmonica occasionally joined the storytelling, adding a musical backdrop that enriched the narratives and never failed to awe his listeners. He would paint the air with tunes that danced between nostalgia and joy, or sing folk songs, weaving tales of yesteryear and adventures untold, captivating the imaginations of his eager grandchildren. The sun porch of their home was a haven for all guests, but particularly for their grandchildren – part fort, part hideaway, always a sanctuary. Amidst the creaking wicker rocking and papasan chairs, and the warm sunlight dappling through the skylight, was an enclave for dreaming, letting imaginations dance, and reading, where their minds wandered through a thousand worlds unknown. Adjoining the sun porch, the kitchen was the central hub, where countless hours were spent sipping tea and indulging in experimental snacks, which added a flavorful dimension to the stories shared and games played around the bamboo table. Time always unfolded at a languid pace between the sun porch and the kitchen, each moment lingering like honey, while the rest of the world whirred by at a rapid tempo.

The rooms bore witness to the unfolding chapters of their lives, with the sun porch evolving into an ageless study space, used by multiple grandchildren as they ventured into higher education, and eventually gently transforming into a place for napping babies. Throughout cross-continent moves, unfurling careers, and new families started, the house in Shawnee, with its slower cadence, always bestowed a sense of rootedness. In the quietude of the sun porch and the lively gatherings around the kitchen table, everything felt surmountable and within reach. These golden years weren't just a chapter; they serve as a legacy, an archive of cherished memories, and the enduring magic of a house built on love.

Bob and Jeannie's enduring love story lasted until her passing in October 2020, leaving in its wake a heritage that thrives through the generations, carried on by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Bob’s life was a tapestry of adventure and impact, woven with threads of faith, devotion, and a deep connection to the world. His love for Thailand and its people knew no bounds and his legacy lives on through the churches he planted, the lives he touched, and the generations he has inspired. In honoring Reverend Bobby Lee Spear, we remember the adventurer from Oklahoma, with a heart for the world, who was a testament to the transformative power of a soul committed to Christ and an indomitable spirit unafraid to embrace the unknown.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Silas McClure Spear and Ruby Mae Floyd Spear, his beloved wife of 69 years, Norma Jean Butler Spear (“Jeannie”), his youngest daughter, Karen Denise Spear, as well as his siblings: Dwight Spear, Fern Hamilton, Nathan Spear, and Jack Spear.

He is survived by his daughter, Linda Marcelle Spear Robertson (Michael), his son, Steven Floyd Spear (Crystal), and daughter Cheryl Jean Spear Wilson (Daniel). Bob leaves behind a legacy through his grandchildren, M. Aaron Robertson, Andrew Robertson (Sara) Amy Robertson (Dan Owins), Ashley Robertson, Anthony Robertson (Jessica), Adam Robertson (Zhanna), Autumn Robertson Lane (Gideon), Alan Robertson (Anya), and Avery Robertson (Ayana), Kevin Spear, Jennifer Spear Pimentel (Julio), and Lily Spear, Zane Greenwald, and his deceased daughter's sons, Steven and Richard Book, as well as 21 great-grandchildren and 4 step great-grandchildren.