Douglas Sears

Douglas Clark Sears, 65, of Nowata, Ok died on Tuesday September 18, 2012. He was born in Bartlesville, Ok on June 2, 1947. He graduated from College High School in the class of 1965 and immediately enlisted to serve his country by joining the United States Navy where he served in Vietnam as a Marine replacement corpsman. After returning from his tour of duty Doug fulfilled a life time ambition and became a working cowboy. He loved Oklahoma and chose to make his life and living on the Great Plains. He worked on some of Northeast Oklahoma's largest and most well-known ranches including the Mullendore, Walden Ranch, Rocking Chair, Drummond Ranch and the Long Ranch. He also worked at OSU, Reda Pump Company, and as a professional traveling farrier. He established the Rafter-3 ranching business at his home in Nowata that provided stock for rodeos. Doug in his earlier life was a bronc rider, bull-dogger, steer roper and a team roper in his later years. Doug came from a long line of cowboys including his champion calf roping Great Uncle, Buddy May, of Ochelata. Doug himself was the SCA Rodeo Association Steer Wrestling Champion of 1976. He was married to barrel racer Pam Sears and they had one daughter Jessica Sears, also a barrel racer, who preceded him in death in 1999. He had one son, Dustin Sears, of Placerville, California, from a previous marriage. Doug is survived by his mother June Waddell of Bartlesville and father and step mother, Duel and Patsy Sears, of Hula Lake and two brothers Joe and Earl Sears who will greatly miss their older brother. A nephew, Ryan Sears of Dallas and a niece Hollye Hunt of Norman, along with daughter in law Shelly Sears and four grandchildren, Dustin Kyle Jr., Dylan, Derik and Dana Sears of California, along with his step brother John and Joyce Waddell's extended family in Guthrie, OK. Doug is also survived by a lifetime of loyal friends. Doug will be attended by pallbearers Lon Chaney, Mark Owens, Wes and Ronnie Jones, Paul Lee Foreman and Will Lunsford. Doug's tribute will come from longtime friend Rick Yocham. Graveside services for Doug will be held at Dewey Cemetery, 2:00 p.m., Monday, September 24, 2012. Services are under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com

Visitation Details

Friday, September 21st, 2012 5:00pm - 9:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Saturday, September 22nd, 2012 8:00am - 5:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 8:00am - 5:00pm, Benjamin Funeral Home

Monday, September 24th, 2012 8:00am - 11:00am, Benjamin Funeral Home

Service Details

Monday, September 24th, 2012 2:00pm, Dewey Cemetery

Interment Details

Dewey Cemetery