Ed Orear

Edwin Luther Orear 1921 -- 2006 Edwin Luther Orear, 84, Coffeyville, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2006, at his home in Coffeyville. Edwin L. Ed Orear ws born December 17, 1921, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Reverend Errell H. Orear and Gwendolyn Ethel Bowles Orear. as a child he lived in various towns in Southeast Missouri, going to school in Charleston, West Plains, Malden and Sikeston, Missouri. Following high school he attended Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri. He enlisted in the navy and began Naval Aviation Cadet training February 3, 1943, graduating as a Naval Aviator August 30, 1944. He served as an instructor in Instructors School at Rodd Field Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas until September 1946. He was then assigned as a test pilot for the Air Maintenance Unit at Cabaniss Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas. He was honorably discharged from the navy in June of 1947. He was with the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Kansas City, Missouri and Independence, Kansas until July 1, 1951. In July 1951 he entered the Insurance business as co-Owner of McKnown and Orear Insurance and Reat Estate Agency. February 1955, he moved to Coffeyville, Kansas as agent for the State Farm Insurance Companies, and reited March 1, 1984. While in Coffeyville Mr. Orear was a member of the Board of Trustees of the First United Methodist Church, sang in the choir for 20 years and taught the Twigbenders Sunday School Class for 20 years. He was a member of the United Way Board of directors 3 years, Vice President of the Coffeyville Junior Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the Coffeyville at 100 Committee, member of the Coffeyville Chamber of Commerce Board of Commerce 1970-1971, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce doctors recruitment committee for 14 years, member of the board of directors of the Southeast Kansas Area Health Council for 4 years. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center for 5 years and chairman of the board for 3 years. He was instrumental in organizing the Coffeyville Medical Center Endowment Foundation, being on the initial board of directors and Chairman of the board in 1983. He married Nadine A. Taylor in Lexington, Missouri September 4, 1944. She passed away March 24, 2001. He is survived by two sons: Gary Orear Lexington, Kentucky Dr. James Orear Joplin, Missouri 4 Grandchildren He was preceded in death by a brother Errell T. Orear Mr. Orear has been cremated. A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2006, at the Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be given to the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center Endowment Association. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.penwellgabel.com