WINTER HAVEN - James H. “Jim” Spears, 72, of Winter Haven, died Saturday, May 12, 2007 at his residence due to cancer.

Born May 30, 1934 in Hartford, AL to James and Mary Spears, he moved to Winter Haven in 1957 from Alabama.  He was a member of  Gateway Assembly of God in Auburndale where he was an elder in the Church.  He was also the past owner of Spears Gulf Service Station from 1965-1972 and past owner of Spears Auto Parts from 1971-1997.  Mr. Spears was also a veteran of the US Army.  He was an avid hunter, fisherman and master gardener.

Preceded in death by his parents, he is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jean E. Spears; a son, Steven H. Spears and his wife Sandy of Auburndale; 3 daughters, Debra J. Helms and her husband Ed, Anita K. Anderson and her husband Jerry, and Jerri L. Snyder and her husband Leslie all of Auburndale; five granddaughters, Ashley DiMarco, Holli Anderson, Amanda Snyder, Hannah Snyder and Katrina Englert; four grandsons, Aaron Helms, Luke Snyder, Kenny Helms and Kevin Helms; and five great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from  5:00pm till 8:00pm on Sunday (today) at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, 2425 Havendale Blvd., Winter Haven, Fl 33881.  Funeral Services will be at 3pm, Monday, May 14, 2007 in the Oak Ridge Funeral Care Chapel .  Interment will follow at Auburndale Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, Fl 33823.  Condolences to www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.