Donn Dears (August 02, 1930 - December 09, 2023)

In loving memory of
Donn Dears
  • August 02, 1930
  • -
  • December 09, 2023

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Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce that Donn Dears of The Villages passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on the morning of December 9 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He is reunited again in heaven with his beloved wife, Marion. Donn was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Evelyn and Francis Dears.

 

He attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, where he graduated with honors in engineering. Donn served our country as a Lieutenant (JG) in the US Navy during the Korean War. Donn began his career after the war at General Electric, testing large steam turbines and generators. He then spent three years in GE’s prestigious Manufacturing Management Program in diverse businesses, including locomotives, turbines, and small jet engines. After that, Donn advanced to several senior executive positions within GE, specializing in power generation. After retiring from GE, Donn leveraged his expertise and continued to study, write, and speak about energy issues, publishing eight books and numerous articles. He was an active blogger and speaker. Donn was also passionate about traveling the world, visiting over 60 countries for business and pleasure. Donn was an active member and loyal friend of many within his cherished community, enjoying community events, poker night, and Thursday lunch with his close friends.

 

Donn is survived by his children, Elizabeth (Robert) and William (Margo); his grandchildren, Daniel (Heather), Christopher (Natalie), Samuel and Maxwell; and great-grandchildren, Jacob and Grace. Donn’s family would like to sincerely thank Donn’s healthcare team, including Florida Cancer Specialists and Compassionate Care Hospice, for providing excellent treatment and supportive care for over a year. The family also profoundly appreciates all the love and support of his close friends before, during, and after the onset of his illness.

 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Eisenhower Regional Pool and Recreation Center located at 3560 Buena Vista Blvd, The Villages, FL starting at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 13, 2024. Interment will occur at Arlington National Cemetery on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider a tax-deductible donation to the US Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation in Donn’s memory. Please make your check payable to “USMMA AAFN (Tax ID# 11-6037948) with Donn’s name in the memo section/notes. Mail to USMMA Alumni, 300 Steamboat Road, Kings Point, NY 11024, or donate online at www.usmmaalumni.com/donate.

 


Service

Location:
Eisenhower Regional Pool and Recreation Center
3560 Buena Vista Blvd, The Villages, FL
Get Driving Directions



Date & Time:
January 13, 2024 at 2:00 PM


Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery


Instead of flowers, the family would prefer if you would make a donation to
tax-deductible donation to the US Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation in Donn's memory. Please make your check payable to "USMMA AAF (Tax ID# 11-6037948) with Donn's name in the memo section/notes. Mail to USMMA Alumni, 300 Steamboat Road, Kings Point, NY 11024, or donate online at www.usmmaalumni.com/donate.

Tribute Wall

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  1. Kim Veras says:
    01 May 2024
    I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr.Dears, a true gentleman, loving husband and father and patriot, who I met as the dad of my best friend in elementary school. I will always remember his kindness, intelligence and joyful pursuit of engagement every day. My love and condolences to Liz, Bill and their families.

  2. Kim Veras says:
    01 May 2024
    I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Dears. I knew him as the dad of one of my best elementary school friends, Liz. A kind, intelligent man who fully embraced life! My love and condolences to Liz, Bill and the families who were his best legacy!

  3. Steve Andelman says:
    13 Jan 2024
    Donn was my mentor as well as a friend and neighbor. I have most of his books which he signed. I told him I was his biggest fan. Our discussions at his home and in his golfcart were special since we were on the same page. He will be missed but his knowledge, wisdom, and courage will remain.

  4. Karen Heinen says:
    10 Jan 2024
    Donn was a gentleman and a scholar. He remained true to his beliefs. Ed and I send our sincere sympathies to his family.

  5. Robert Harding says:
    06 Jan 2024
    Donn was a good friend and will be sorely missed. But he is with his beloved wife Marion now. God bless

  6. Bob says:
    06 Jan 2024
    Donn was a good friend and Neighbor and Patriot Our groups will miss him dearly
    The only comfort I can feel is that he is with his beloved wife Marion who he dearly missed
    My condolences to his family

  7. Ron Robinson says:
    06 Jan 2024
    Donn was a great friend. Donn would return to Reston, Virginia once a year to pay respects to his late wife. We would have dinner and discuss a wide range of local and national issues. His writings and speeches on America’s energy and on the environment were always well-thought out and presented. Donn showed me The Villages when we were looking at relocating to Florida. It was obvious he was beloved by his neighbors.

    Donn was a generous supporter of saving President Reagan’s Ranch, called Rancho del Cielo in Santa Barbara. Donn would travel with other key supporters of Young America’s Foundation. My most memorable time with him was when we visited key sites in the Baltic including meeting with Lech Walesa in the Gdansk shipyards. We especially enjoyed Stockholm. Donn is missed. He was a generous, principled, happy person. May he rest in peace.

  8. Ron Robinson says:
    06 Jan 2024
    Donn was a great friend and patriot. I enjoyed his trips back to Reston, Virginia when he paid respects to his late wife. We would have dinner together and discuss a wide range of Reston and national affairs. His insights and writings on energy and climate issues were well thought out and presented.

    Donn showed me around The Villages when we looked to relocate in Florida. Donn was a generous supporter of saving and preserving President Reagan’s beloved Ranch, Rancho del Cielo in Santa Barbara. He often traveled with other pro-Reagan colleagues. My most memorable trip was with him in the Baltic and especially in Stockholm. May he rest in peace. We miss Donn; the world lost a principled, kind and thoughtful man.

  9. Rita Boehm says:
    02 Jan 2024
    As a former president of the Writers League of The Villages, I can say without reservations that the club was fortunate to have Donn as a member. He was well respected and served the club well as Secretary in 2020 during a pivotal time. I always enjoyed my interactions with Donn. We will all miss him.

    Note: I was planning on attending the memorial. Unfortunately, I'm committed to run a Writers League event scheduled at exactly the same time. I will be there in spirit, and I know there are other Writers League members who plan to attend.
    I am sincerely sorry for your loss.

  10. John Maloney says:
    22 Dec 2023
    I was honored to call Donn a friend for these last few years. I have never met anyone with the intellect, humor and patriotism as Donn. I think of him as a mentor who improved my life.
    I will miss him. Godspeed my good friend.

  11. John Maloney says:
    22 Dec 2023
    It was my honor to know Donn as a friend. I have never met a more kind and polished human. I will forever miss his humor, humility and intellect. Godspeed my friend.

  12. Rob Nutter says:
    21 Dec 2023
    Donn was a very unique man, full of knowledge and wisdom and always great to discuss a wide range of topics with. He will be missed by so many and I was fortunate to call him my friend.
    My thoughts are with your family.

  13. Dick Storm says:
    19 Dec 2023
    Donn was an inspiration to me as an encourager and Mentor. He was one of the finest examples of an American Patriot that walked the talk and stood up for our country. I will miss Donn’s special talents that he was so generous in sharing.

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