Virgil Ray Wear

Virgil Ray Wear, 59-year-old resident of Decatur, Ark., died Feb. 15, 2013, at his home. Born Sept. 23, 1953, in Garden City, Kan., he was the son of Leland Wear and Elsie May Plummer. After his father died, he was raised by Marion and Elsie Lee in the Gentry area. Ray was a graduate of the University of Arkansas. After graduation he went to work in the accounting department at Peterson Farms in 1979. He held a variety of positions with the company before retiring as vice president of finance in 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather and one sister. Survivors include two sons, Nick Wear of Decatur, Ark., and Chris Wear of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; one granddaughter, Emily Wear of Decatur; six brothers, Cecil Wear of Hawaii, Johnny Wear of Alabama, David Wear of Texas, Frank Lee of Gentry, Ark., Walter Wear of Gentry and Joe Lee of Gentry; three sisters, Opal Lewellen of Gentry, Pat McKinley of Colcord, Okla., and Ann Coker of Tennessee; and the last love of his life, Gala Sewell. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at Decatur United Methodist Church, Decatur, Ark. In leiu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to the American Lung Association in Ray's honor. To sign the online guest book, visit www.wassonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Ark.