Dr. Clark Gordon Spears

On Tuesday August 21, 2018 Dr. Clark G. Spears, loving husband and father of four children went to his eternal home at the age of 82. Clark was born on October 4, 1935 in Lebanon Missouri, to Emis & Louis Spears. He graduated from The Southwest Missouri State College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Clark then attended The University of Missouri in Columbia  where he received his Doctor of Medicine degree. He then went on to The University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy in Galveston, TX. He completed his internship and residency in Internal Medicine and then specialized in Anesthesiology.   At the early age of 17, as a senior in High School he was diagnosed with polio, which left him paralyzed from the neck down. At the time of his diagnosis of Polio, the Polio vaccine had not yet been discovered. His family was the first family in the state of Missouri to receive the vaccine.   Clark's parents took him to the local hospital and he was told that he would never walk again.   Clark stated, "I walked in the hospital and I'll walk out".  Clark was sent to Franklin D. Roosevelt Polio retreat in Warm Springs Georgia, where he relearned all of his physical skills to become self-sufficient.   Clark in his youth aspired to be a hunting and fish tour guide. He ran track in high school, played football and loved fast cars.   In Clark's adult life his hobbies included fishing, which he traveled the world to do, hunting, auto racing, spending time with the love of his life, Carolyn Sue, spending time with his family, friends, grandchildren and great grandchildren.   Clark was known for his distinctive voice. He left his family a love letter that told us what was important to him. GOD, LOVE, FAMILY, HONESTY, WORK, PRIDE IN YOUR WORK, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, (not in your possessions or status), CHARITY, COMPASSION and KINDNESS.   Clark was proceeded in death by his father, Emis Spears; Lois Spears; sister, Joy Fishel and son, Kelly Spears.   He is survived by his wife Carolyn Spears, daughters: Paula Spears Cooper & Jim of Sarasota Florida, Kim Spears Atherton & Michael of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Kara Spears-Humphreys & William of Austin, Texas, brother in law Bill Rader and Maewin of Malakoff, Texas, 3 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 2 nieces and 2 nephews.   There will be a Memorial Service Friday September 14, 2018 at The First United Methodist Church, 1717 Boling Highway Wharton Texas 77488 at 1:00 PM   In lieu of flowers , please make donations to local charities.