DETICATED TO

JAMES H. SPEARS

James H. Spear, 37, of Mountain Homes Air Force Base, Idaho died Tuesday, July 21, 1998, in Tooele, Utah.

Jim was born Sept. 21, 1960, in Henderson Kentucky, The only child of Eleanor and Troy Spear. His mother preceded him in death in 1965. He graduated from Cumberland County School in Burkesville, Kentucky, in 1978. He attended Lindsey Wilson College and the University of Kentucky. Jim graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelors' Degree in International Relations and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force on

May 8, 1982.

Jim married Heidi Marie Schmidt of LaSalle, Colorado, on July 6, 1985, in Greeley, Colorado. They have a six month old daughter Hannah Marie, born January 30, 1998.

Jim is survived by his wife Heidi and his daughter Hannah, of Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, his father Troy E. Spear  and his stepmother, Winifred F. Spear, of Peutonsburg, Kentucky; his father-in-law Clarence V. Schmidt and his mother-in-law Tylene L. Schmidt, of LaSalle Colorado; and his sister-in-law Valerie H. Hiller, of LaSalle Colorado and Melanie A Meyers of Greeley, Colorado.

Jim was highly respected and distinguished officer with the United States Air Force. He was the Commander of the 366th Transportation Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, and previously he was Commander of the 366th Logistics Support Squadron. His other assignments include; Missile Crew Qualification Training, Vandenberg, AFB, California; Missile Crew member, Crew Commander, and Flight Commander, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming; Chief, Resources Plans Division, England AFB, Louisiana; Chief  Logistics Plans, Taegu AB, Korea; Inspector, Headquarters Tactical Air Command Inspector General Team, Langley AFB, Virginia, and Joint Special Operations Command, FT Bragg, North Carolina.

Major Spear's awards and decorations include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Air Force Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Combat Readiness Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; and The Liberation of Kuwait Medal. He was named the Logistics Plans Field Grade Officer of the year, Air Combat Command, for 1997. In 1988, he was named the company Grade Officer of the year for the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, England AFB, Louisiana.

Jim had of love for the out doors. He enjoyed boating, hunting, camping, and motorcycling. He was a compassionate and loving husband and father who adored his daughter. He will be missed by all!