Roy Gilbert Mears

Hamilton - Roy Gilbert Mears, 87 of Hamilton passed away Wednesday July 7, 2010 at the Marcus Daly Memorial Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Hamilton.
Roy was born and grew up in Pomona, California. Roy attended Pomona High School. After school he joined the Marine Corps in 1940. In the early part of 1941 his regiment was sent to Iceland to help the Brits defend against the Nazis. Pearl Harbor was attacked and the regiment was recalled. Roy's unit rejoined the rest of the Division at Guadalcanal. They recouped and recovered in New Zealand and then were sent to storm Tarawa. Following that battle Roy was sent to Hawaii, he and a few NCO's were sent back to the states to help form a new Division the "5". While in the states Roy met and married Jane Kuplast. Shortly thereafter the new Division was sent overseas where he was involved in action on Iwo Jima followed by the occupation of Japan. Roy returned to the states and was discharged on November 5, 1946 at the rank of Platoon Sergeant.
Following the war Roy went to work for UPS where he worked for 31 years, retiring in 1983. The couple moved to Montana on July 3, 1983. Roy was a member of the Boy Scouts, Elks in California, and the Marine Corps League. He volunteered at the animal shelter, Haven House and was a member of the United Methodist-American Baptist Church in Hamilton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and a brother.
He is survived by his wife, Jane of Hamilton; two sons, Roy William of Darby and Steven Lee of Hamilton, MT; 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials to United Methodist American Baptist Church in Hamilton.