Dr. G. L. Mears

Dr. G.L. Mears, age 75, of Salem, passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2018. Born April 28, 1942 in Jonesboro, LA.; he was the son of Robert E. and Cora I. Mears. He grew up near Minden, LA. GL spent much of his adult life in the field of education in both the public school classrooms as well as in higher education. He graduated in 1964, from Polytechnic University in Ruston, LA. with a Bachelors degree, going on to graduate in 1967 having earned his Masters degree; he went on to the University of Mississippi where he earned his Doctorate of Education in 1971. He served for some time at Burlington Community College in New Jersey as well as at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock (UALR). He retired as the Administrative Vice President from Youngstown State University in 2002 after 22 years of service. GL enjoyed leisure time activities such as traveling, camping, volunteering, target shooting, and reading, where he loved to tell his friends about what he had read. He served in the YSURA, Mahoning Valley United Way, Greenford Ruritan Club, as well as the Mahoning Valley Civil War Round Table; he was a longtime member of the North-South Skirmish Association. He was an active member of the Austintown Baptist Church in Austintown where he served in various roles throughout the years. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Virginia whom he married on August 23, 1964; children: Carol (Chris) Douglass and Geoffrey (Amanda); grandson Carson Douglass, as well as many nephews and nieces. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters: Inez, Hilda, and Marie and brothers: Louis, John, Paul, and Arnold. Friends will be received on Thursday, from 4-7PM at the Austintown Baptist Church, 1180 S. Raccoon Rd. where services will be held on Friday, January 19, 2018 at 10:30AM, friends will also be received one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place in Louisiana. Memorials may be made to either Austintown Baptist Church or the YSURA Scholarship Fund.