Obituary of Jerry C. Spears

Jerry C Spears, DVM, 85, of Citra passed away on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at his residence. Jerry was a native of Leesburg, Florida. He was a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1956.  While at the University of Florida, Jerry was a member of the UF livestock judging team.  In 1962, he earned a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from Auburn University.    After working in a mixed practice in Deland, he owned and operated the Animal Medical Hospital in St. Petersburg for more than 35 years.  Jerry had a long history of service to the veterinary medical profession.  He was active in his county veterinary associations and co-owner of the one of the first pet emergency clinics established for after-hours care in St. Petersburg.  He was elected President of the Florida Veterinary Medical Association in 1973.  As President of the FVMA he was directly involved in the establishment of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida where he continues to sponsor an annual student scholarship in the name of his parents.  He was selected by the FVMA as the Outstanding Veterinarian of the Year in 1977 and received their Executive Distinguished Service Award in 1989.  Jerry was also actively involved on a national level, serving on the Council of Education for the American Veterinary Medical Association and was a member of the American Animal Hospital Association.  Jerry retired from full time veterinary practice in 1995 and moved to Citra, FL.  He served the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine for several years after he retired from practice.   

In Citra, Jerry returned to raising cattle, the life in which he grew up.  As with the veterinary profession, Jerry’s history of active service to Florida agriculture and the cattle industry was distinguished.  He served on the Board of Directors for the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association and was named Honorary Director of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association in 2009.  Jerry was a supporter of youth in agriculture and sponsor of the Southeastern Youth Fair heifer show.  He continued to serve both the cattle industry and veterinary community as the Vice-Chairman of the Animal Industry Technical Council which advises the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  He was an active member in the Marion County Farm Bureau and sat on advisory committees to represent the county and cattle industry.  Jerry was a lifelong advocate for the entire Florida Cattle industry and a Charter member of the Florida Cracker Cattle Association. 

In his free time, Jerry was an avid fisherman and he shared this passion with his family and many lifelong friends.  He enjoyed hunting and often travelled with close friends and family for hunting/fishing trips across the country and beyond.  More recently, he preferred to photograph the local wildlife rather than hunting them.  At home, he enjoyed his vegetable garden, riding his cow horse, his dogs and looking out over his cows.  Jerry was dedicated to his profession and his ranching lifestyle.  Jerry or “Doc” was a loyal lifelong friend to many in his profession and his communities.  

Jerry wrote “I enjoyed punching cows.  And to work with a crew of good cowboys who really know what they were doing, to work good cattle and to ride good horses is just about as close to heaven as a man could get.” He liked to quote the lyric, “Wake me up early, Be Good to my Dogs and Teach my kids to Pray.”

Jerry is predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Gayle Geiger Spears, his sons, Randall Eric Spears and Allen Wayne Spears and his grandson, Tanner Douglas Spears.  He is survived by his sister, Etta Spears Beville of Leesburg, his oldest son, Douglas C. Spears, of Flagler Beach, as well as three granddaughters, five great grandchildren and two great, great grandsons. 

A memorial service will be held at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services (910 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470) on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Marion County, Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation, or other organization supporting Florida agriculture, veterinary medicine and the cattle industry as you may prefer.  Jerry established the Clyde and Laura Spears Rural Animal Medicine Proficiency Award for senior veterinary medical students with an interest in food animal veterinary medicine.  Gifts to this award can be directed to:  https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/020559-clyde-and-laura-spears-rural-animal-medicine-proficiency-award/.   Online condolences may be sent at www.hiers-baxley.com.