of Hot Springs, AR
January 22, 1959 - July 5, 2022
Myles Spears, age 63, lost his battle with cancer on July 5, 2022. He fought it for 6 years and was winning until the tide turned on him in October 2021.
Myles was born in Temple, Texas and lived in Huron, South Dakota until moving to Little Rock, Arkansas. Myles and Lisa (wife), met at UALR in 1979 but ironically, prior to that, rode the same school bus in Junior High and attended the same High School, never meeting until college. That was chalked up to Myles and Lisa running in different circles in Junior High and High School. Myles and Lisa met at UALR, where Myles was a Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) and Lisa was a Pi Beta Phi, as well as a Pike Little Sister. Myles and Lisa married in May of 1982, only after Lisa gave him an ultimatum, which he always denied ever happened. His side of the story is that he was waiting to propose on Christmas so he wouldn't have to worry about a Christmas present, since the engagement ring should be considered a gift. It was purely from an economic standpoint.
Myles was a career UPS employee, starting with loading package cars, moving to delivery driver and retiring from his career with UPS in management, after 38 years. He made many lifelong friends at UPS which he cherished dearly.
Myles loved his family and friends and spending time with all at his favorite vacation spots; Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton and Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Holidays were always special to him, with gatherings at the Olsen's on Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas with family and friends.
Myles was an avid NASCAR fan and spent time meticulously planning the annual NASCAR trips for his friends. There was no detail left unturned for him during those trips and he had some of the funniest stories to tell, although many remained untold. What happens at NASCAR stays at NASCAR.
To some, Myles had a tough exterior. To those that knew him well, he was a big teddy bear that had so much empathy for others. If you needed his help, he would go above and beyond and do anything in his power to help you. He especially enjoyed helping family and friends obtain job opportunities at UPS, because that is exactly how he got his job at UPS. He was forever grateful for the family friend that gave him a chance at UPS.
The family is so appreciative for the many doctors and nurses at UAMS who worked tirelessly to give him every fighting chance at the end. He would be so thankful to know how much care and compassion was given to him in his final hours.
He loved his family deeply. He was predeceased by Maurice "Whitey" Spears (father), Henrietta "Hank" Spears (mother), John "Jack" Olsen (father-in-law) and Carolyn Olsen (mother-in-law). He is survived by Lisa Spears (wife), Erin Schwinger (daughter), John (son-in-law), Olivia Jo (OJo) Schwinger (granddaughter), Hunter Spears (son), Elizabeth (daughter-in-law), Michelle Richer (sister), Pierre Richer (brother-in-law), Melissa Casteel (sister), Tony Casteel (brother-in-law), Leslie Hampel (sister-in-law), Mark Hampel (brother-in-law), Eric Olsen (brother-in-law), Mary Gay Olsen (sister-in-law) as well as nine nieces and nephews.
Per Myles' instructions, he will be cremated, and his ashes spread to join "Hank" and "Whitey" at South Padre Island, Texas.
The family asks that any donations made in honor of Myles be given to the following organizations: Guardian Angels Cat Rescue & Adoption in Hot Springs; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation.
As Myles and Lisa lived in Fort Smith for over 30 years making many lifelong friends during that time, the family will be planning a separate memorial service in Fort Smith, Arkansas to celebrate Myles' life.
Visitation will be 4:00-6:00 P.M., Friday, July 8, 2022 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home with Memorial Services following at 2:00 P.M., Saturday.
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55 Condolence(s)
Ron Morris
Monday, September 26, 2022
I just learned of Myles passing and I am at a loss for words. I talked to him not that long ago, or so it seems and thought I would be speaking to him again. I met Myles at a UPS Managers workshop over 20 years ago and always enjoyed talking to him. I am sure he is as deeply missed by his family and my condolences go out to them.
Wes & Sandra Kaundart
Friday, August 5, 2022
Lisa and family,
We just learned today of Myles' passing. We enjoyed being neighbors. Our thoughts are with you. Peace for all.
Wes & Sandra Kaundart
Charla Birch
Monday, July 18, 2022
Lisa and family.....I am so sorry to hear about Myles. It seems like yesterday we were in college and going over to the Pike house every Friday and Saturday night. Those were the days. Myles was always so fun to be around. I just hate so many of us have lost touch. I can't imagine what each of you have gone through with his illness but know I am thinking about you and saying a prayer for the days, weeks and months ahead.
Hugs to you Lisa!
Brenda Wallwork
Monday, July 11, 2022
Dear Lisa and family, I am so sorry to hear this news. He was such a hoot at times, and I remember those evenings sitting outside visiting. I remember his infectious grin and compassion. I know you and the kids will miss him terribly. If you ever head my way, please let me know. I miss you all.
Essley Wayne
Monday, July 11, 2022
Myles was a great person! Knew him from college days! He will be missed by everyone!So sorry for your lose lisa!
Ian McClendon
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Myles had to be one of the most influential people I've ever had the pleasure to work under. I remember when he met my mother and got ''full approva'' from her to ''do whatever it takes to get me in line.'' He would see me doing something I shouldn't have been doing and he's give me his ''look'' and threaten to call Ol Mom. He was a great, great man.
Bo Evans
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Lisa and the family my prayers go out to you all. Myles was my mentor, friend, and the person that I could always vent my frustration. He was the most influential person in my UPS Career, my work dad. Love and miss you Myles
Mary Twedt Cantrell
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Lisa, May Miles memory be eternal. I am so glad I got to see you at the Parkview reunion.
Randy Bone
Saturday, July 9, 2022
Was great call him MY FRIEND
Thomas Schaub
Saturday, July 9, 2022
Best boss ever!
Jerry and Marilyn Selby
Saturday, July 9, 2022
Our prayers are with you at this sad time. Myles was our wonderful friend and neighbor who we knew we could always count on. We laughed together a lot and shared so many wonderful times as we all watched our children grow up. From times together at the lake, backyard swimming and cook outs, grabbing our lawn chairs to visit outside in the evenings, always laughing and teasing going on. Wonderful memories. So sad to lose our wonderful friend Myles. Love you all.
Bill Hines
Saturday, July 9, 2022
Myles will be greatly missed by many people. We had so much fun on the NASCAR trips! Rest In Peace my friend.
Ray Keaton
Saturday, July 9, 2022
A person with integrity loyal and a man of his word you will be missed . My condolence and prayers go out to the family
Jerry and Marilyn Selby
Saturday, July 9, 2022
Dear Lisa and family,
We are so sorry for your loss of wonderful Myles. He was a great friend and neighbor, always ready to help any way he could. He loved to ''tease'' everyone and he was really good at that too! When we were neighbors, we always knew we could count on Myles to have a ''solution'' or a joke to share about it! We really missed all of you when we moved. God bless you all.
Rest In Peace, Fine Friend.
Love,
Jerry, Marilyn, Jenny, and Katy Selby
Larry & Mindy Stec
Friday, July 8, 2022
Myles & Lisa were a great couple. A few great memories of Myles was how he was a Fellow Pike (Pike Kappa Alpha) brother. Myles atteded UALR, Larry attended UCA in Conway. Also have many memories of our NASCAR Trips several years ago to Talladega and Kansas City. Myles and others did alot of working setting these Trips up for 10 to 20 people each year. Myles also trained our son Justin as a UPS Driver years ago. Were so sorry for Myles Family loss, and Praying for both Myles and His Family.
Jim Beavers
Friday, July 8, 2022
Lisa, So sorry for your loss of a great man. Myles was a proud family man. I was very fortunate to be able to work with Myles at UPS for years. Myles was also a great friend. God Bless you and family. Jim@Priscilla
Keith Petersen
Friday, July 8, 2022
I am sadden for your lost I knew him briefly as a Pike brother in college. We are praying for Lisa, Leslie and Mark and all the family.
God says " Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand "" Isaiah 41:10
Mike Coats
Friday, July 8, 2022
Lisa , my condolences and prayers, I'm here to serve in whatever capacity that I can..
Myles as I know him is probably up in heaven telling someone what to do, and saying to Jesus ' now look lord that just don't make no sense ' he was always opinionated
And spoke his mind
Love that guy, My good friend
Robert Muck
Friday, July 8, 2022
Blessed to know Myles.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Lisa and family.
Ann Lisk
Friday, July 8, 2022
''So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.'' Galatians 6:10
I have known Myles since the 4th grade. We went to school and church together in Temple, Tx. Then when his family moved to Little Rock he ended up going to high school with my cousins. In 1976 we met again by chance at a Howard Johnson's in Arlington, Texas where we laughed about EVERYTHING. He could find the humor in every situation.
After moving to Fort Smith in 2005, guess who I run across again ITS NOT ODD, ITS GOD, and I thank Him for my sweet childhood friend Myles~!
I am praying for his family as they adjust to life without him.
Scott and Sheila Blair
Friday, July 8, 2022
Lisa and family ,
We are praying for you during this time. We always loved being with you and Myles . He was a great friend and we know how much he will be missed .
May you and your children feel the love and prayers of all that loved him .
Paul & Glenda Barley
Friday, July 8, 2022
So sorry to hear about Myles.He and Paul were good friends. Sorry we can't make it to his memorial. Health reason. Hug the family for us. Love you
.
Karen Gattis
Friday, July 8, 2022
RIP Myles. I recall the first time I met Myles at the Ft Smith UPS Center and boy was I afraid of him. 🤣 it was true, he was a big teddy bear soft guy once you got to know him and he would always have your back. Sending prayers for Lisa and the family during this difficult time.
Amy Brantley
Friday, July 8, 2022
Lisa
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of loss. Always here for you.
Amy
Carolyn Ketter
Friday, July 8, 2022
Myles and his stories will be missed. Praying those stories and memories bring the family comfort.
Aaron Day
Friday, July 8, 2022
Myles was a very special person. Tough exterior but would bend over backwards to help a friend in need. He will be missed greatly. I hope you tell some great stories in heaven my friend.
Lisa Hoyt
Friday, July 8, 2022
So, so sorry to hear about Myles. Such a super guy. He will be missed by so many. Prayers going up. Lisa
Jim Simpson
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Myles will be missed greatly by all, he blessed us with awesome stories to tell and retell. He has left us a treasure trove of smiles and laughs to remember him by. May God comfort and keep his family as they go forward.
Ken Elliott
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Loyal friend and Co eorker
Mark Hagge
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Lisa and family, I'm very sad to learn about losing Myles. He was a great friend for so many years. He will be missed. You are in my prayers.
Hannah Harris
Thursday, July 7, 2022
My prayers and condolences to the entire Spears family 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
RIP Myles🌹🙏🏾'
Kenny & Kristen Barnett
Thursday, July 7, 2022
RIP brother, we had lots of good times and countless memories.
Tim Pruitt
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Myles and l were package car drivers and co- workers for many years and he was a great friend… RIP brother …Tim Pruitt
Joe Lander
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Linda and I will miss you very much. We will miss reminiscing at the kitchen table about all our years at UPS together, the dive trips and vacations spent together. The time spent together at Lake Ouachita the trips to Oaklawn and any other number of other get togethers. You will always be in our hearts. You were a great husband, father and an even better PopPop. We love you and will miss you very very much. R.I.P. my friend. May God bless you, your family and give them the strength they need in their time of loss.
Phillip Hamby
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Myles was my supervisor in ft.smith when I started at ups.35 yrs ago.then he caught up with us at sallisaw .ups.for 7 yrs before he retired .one of the best bosses i,ve had.great friend .your legacy still lives on at ups.Thoughts and prayers for the family.
Becky Crandall
Thursday, July 7, 2022
I am thankful to have had Myles as my boss at UPS. He had a tough exterior but he really was a softie. Thanks for your kindness towards me and for always standing up for me. May your family find peace and comfort during this difficult time.
RIP Bossman.
Dennis Treat
Thursday, July 7, 2022
I haven't seen or spoke to Myles since my retirement in 2012 but, he was one of my favorite supervisors at UPS. He was always willing to help work through whatever challenges the job threw at us and he seemed to always have a smile on his face. I was sad to hear of his battle with cancer and hoped he would beat it. I watched my mother struggle with a losing battle with cancer. So I know how difficult it must have been for Myles and the family. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.
Travis Smith
Thursday, July 7, 2022
For many years I knew Myles around UPS in Little Rock and Fort Smith. Had a few one on one conversations with Myles about UPS over the years.
Both of us grew from these conversations. He was a great UPS partner but way more important he was a good friend. He will be missed here on earth but Heaven is better with his presence.
Sherry Grinder
Thursday, July 7, 2022
I was so sad to hear of Myles' passing. He was a great mentor in my UPS days. What a special person. Prayers for the family.
Stan Carver
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Tikie and I are so sad to hear of Myles passing. He was a great friend and mentor. So many great memories. RIH my friend. Prayers to your family during this most challenging time.
Colt & Skye Oliver
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Myles was always the supervisor I looked up to and thought the world of! Fly high you will be forever missed!
Robert and Christie Salmeron
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Myles was One of a Kind. I was blessed to work for him many years in Ft Smith. He taught me so much over the years. Some didn't know how to take Myles but I considered him a dear friend and the Best Boss I could ever have asked for. You will be missed Bossman but never forgotten.
John Liddle
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Prayers are with the family!! Myles was a proud member of the UPS brotherhood & we all lost a little bit of ourselves with his passing!! RIP Myles, you will be missed.
David Eusanio
Thursday, July 7, 2022
We all lost a very special friend. RIP…..they do not make them like Myles!
Joey Miller
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Rest In Peace NASCAR buddy!
Nile Hatcher
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Lisa,
I was sad to hear of Myles' passing. He was a friend and great partner at UPS. I will never forget his kindness; he will be missed by all. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts. May God give him eternal rest.
Kent & Linda Hardy
Thursday, July 7, 2022
God has called this angel home but Myles' light still shines brightly through his wonderful family and a multitude of friends. We are proud to be counted among them.
Johnny and Julia Washburn
Thursday, July 7, 2022
We are so sorry about Myles- we cherish the memories of the trips we made to the horse races with you both! He was loved by so many. We love you Lisa and are praying for peace in the coming days .
Raymond Battle
Thursday, July 7, 2022
A very good person who cared about everyone.
Rest In Peace.
Linda Lander
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Lisa and family, Joe and I are so very sorry for your loss. Myles will forever be in our hearts and missed by so many. We pray God is with you and he gives you the strength and comfort you need during this time of loss. God bless all of you. Love Joe and Linda
John Harris
Thursday, July 7, 2022
A good man. RIP.
Donna Dobson
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Lisa and family, I'm very sorry for your loss of Myles. I had the privilege of working with Myles during his early driver days. Praying for your family.
Pat Marshall
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Lisa, I'm so sorry for you and your family's loss. He was a true leader (and sometimes ringleader) and just a great person. I'm proud to have known and worked with him. Please know I'm sending love and comforting thoughts to you and your family. He will always be missed.
Bronda Hagood
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Thinking of you. So sorry for your loss. May God bless and comfort you all 🙏❤️
Larry Lowder
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Hannah and I are so sorry for loss. Myles was loved by so many people, he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.