Daniel J. Gear

Daniel J. Gear, age 75, of Cheney, Wash. passed away July 19, 2010 at The Gardens nursing home in Spokane after fighting poor health for many years.

Dan was born July 18, 1935 in Queens, New York to John and Mary (Coffey) Gear. Dan joined the Air Force when he was 19 years old where he spent the next 24 years, the last 15 he spent as a gunner on B-52 bombers. After his retirement he started his second career at Spokane  County Superior Court Clerk's office as the records supervisor, responsible for court records. He retired from the county in 2002.

While working for the county, Dan went back to school and earned a bachelors degree from Eastern Washington University. He said he wanted to prove to himself he could do it, and he did.

Dan is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sue Gear of Cheney; children, Michael Gear, Michelle Fox (Steve) and Sharon McManus (Shawn); sister, Nancy Grimaldi of New York; grandchildren, T.J., Jordan, Nicole, Carlie and Quayde.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinsons Resource Center of Spokane at PMB 1991314, S. Grand Blvd, Suite 2, Spokane, WA 99202 in his memory.

A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, July 24 at Cheney Funeral Chapel. Interment of his urn with military honors will follow at Spokane Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Cheney Funeral Chapel, Cheney.