David Spring Stear

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, at First United Methodist Church in New Iberia. Interment with military honors will follow at Beau Pré Memorial Park Cemetery in Jeanerette.

David was born on July 17, 1925, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, to Freda Hallie Spring and Jacob Ray Stear. He held a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and physics from Washington and Jefferson College. He then served two years with the United States Army as a member of the 75th Infantry Division before his honorable discharge due to a combat wound sustained during the Battle of Colmar, France, in 1945. He received a Purple Heart, a Combat Infantry Badge, a Bronze Star, a Good Conduct Medal, and a Victory Medal for his service in the European Theatre Operation of World War II where he fought in France and Belgium. In 2013, the French Government conferred on him the Knight of the Legion of Honor for his service in defense of their country.

Following his military service, David continued his education and received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tulsa. In 1950, he moved to South Louisiana as a petroleum engineer with Texaco, Incorporated, a career that spanned thirty-four years.

David was a member of various professional engineering organizations. He served as a volunteer in his church and in his community. He also was active in the Republican Party at the state, parish, and local levels.

David was married for 57 years to his beloved wife, Marjorie Belle Matherne, who preceded him in death in 2011. Together, David and Marjorie raised five daughters: Freda Anne, of New Iberia, married to Charles Garrison, Sr; Susan Spring, of Dallas, Texas, married to Robin McGuire; Joan Elizabeth Stear, of Lafayette; Ruth Allison, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, married to Jeff Otterbacher; and Margaret Frances Stear, of Amarillo, Texas.

David enjoyed the company of his four grandchildren: Charles Garrison, Jr., of Clarksville, Tennessee, and his wife Jennifer; Katie, of New Iberia, and her husband, Blake Habbit; Captain (P) David Garrison, of Oahu, Hawaii; and Gordon McGuire, of New Orleans, and his fiancé, Anna Sartini. He was proud of his great-grandchildren, Mason and Landon Habbit; and Laura Garrison. David also leaves behind nieces and nephews, those of his brother’s family in California and of his wife's family from South Louisiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jackson Curtis Stear.

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of David’s support of various charities, his family has suggested a donation to the giver’s preferred charity.

Visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church beginning at 10:00 am until services.

To view on-line obituary, and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.