Noble Bruce Mears, Sr.
Jan 30, 1920 - Mar 26, 2013
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

© Grace Memorial Chapel

Noble Bruce Mears Sr., longtime resident of Ponca City, passed Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at the Ponca City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 93 years of age. 

Noble was born January 30, 1920 in a log cabin at Caney, Oklahoma. He was the son of Thomas Murphy Mears and Lela Janetta (Beall) Mears. He received his early education at the Nix School near Caney. He served his country in the United States Army, serving three different times, pre-Pearl Harbor, WWII and Korea. He was married to Ida Mae Lambling on January 30, 1946 in Arkansas City, Kansas, with the couple moving to Ponca City that same year. Noble had worked as a trainer at the local carbon black plant, retiring at the age of 62. He was lifetime member of the American Legion and V.F.W., and a member of the local OCAW. Throughout his years his enjoyments included fishing, listening to St. Louis Cardinal Baseball games on the radio, teaching flag etiquette to children and teaching first aid to the Boy Scouts. Noble was well known for his enjoyment of playing “Grandpa Santa Clause” for some 50 years. He will also be remembered for his years of active service with the American Legion, selling poppie boards and his tireless willingness to help with flag details at many many veterans’ funerals. 

He is survived by his four children, Noble Bruce Mears Jr., Carolyn Lee Mears and Edith Janet Mears, all of Ponca City, and Margaret Louise Jones of Sedan, Kansas; one brother, Murphy Mears of Azle, Texas and two sisters, Barbara Pruitt of Caney, Oklahoma, and Shirley Roland of Azle, Texas; four grandchildren, Anthony Mears, Mandy Galibreath, Toby Jeffcoat and Scott Mears; six great grandchildren, Garrett, Samantha, Kyle, Brailey, Bryson, and Xavier Noble; numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends. He also leaves behind his beloved coon dog Homer “Nubwagger” Mears. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Ida, on July 16, 1989; four brothers, L.C. Mears, Robert O. Mears, Jack Mears and Johnny Mears; two sisters, Jewell Howard and Ellen Bush. 

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2013 at Grace Memorial Chapel with Pastor Lynn Schuyler presiding. Interment will follow in the Ponca City I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.