Charles R. Sears

Charles Robert, "C.R.", Bob, Sears never knew a stranger. He was quick to extend a handshake and greeting to everyone. When his daughter - and only child - Malinda decided in January to have a combination 90th birthday and wedding anniversary party to celebrate Bob's life and his nearly 70 years together with his wife, Alma, it was a bulk mailing day at the post office to invite all of his friends. Bob and Alma were greeted by a packed room of friends new and old at their long-time parish, Christ the King. Born in Oklahoma City at St. Anthony Hospital on January 22, 1926, Bob passed away peacefully after a brief illness on May 13, 2016, with his wife Alma and daughter Malinda at his side. Although Bob's life began in Oklahoma City, his family moved to Houston, Texas where his childhood friends nicknamed him "Little Bobby Sears" - a nickname that stuck with many of his adult friends long after he returned to Oklahoma City the summer of 1942. He graduated from John Carroll Catholic High School in 1943, joining the Navy and serving his country from 1944 through 1946 as he patrolled the Panama Canal and was stationed in the Galapagos Islands. He always described his time in the Navy as "good duty, not heroic". When he returned from the Navy, he took a job at Southwestern Bell Telephone, where a young telephone operator caught his eye. He and Alma began dating, were engaged shortly thereafter and married June 26, 1946. That same year he enrolled in The University of Oklahoma. Because he and Alma didn't own a car, Bob hitchhiked from Oklahoma City to Norman and back each day. By his estimates, he hitchhiked 42, 000 miles. Along the way he met what would become three of his best lifelong friends – fellow students with cars who let Bob hitch a ride to class. He graduated from OU in 1950 and became a devoted Sooner fan. He held season tickets and attended virtually every home game for 69 years. He arrived in the stands early and stayed - regardless of the score – until the team had left the field. He also attended the OU / Texas game every year for 64 years. Up until 4 years ago, Bob and Alma had only missed one OU / Texas game. That was October 6, 1952, when their daughter Malinda was born. Only fitting that for this OU fan his only child would be born on OU / Texas weekend and Malinda would become a second generation Sooner graduate because as she said – "My Dad never took me to Stillwater – only to Norman". Bob, Alma and Malinda called themselves "The Three Musketeers" – they did everything together. Bob adored his daughter and best friend "Bobie", who could do no wrong in his eyes. Through the years, Alma remained at Southwestern Bell and Bob joined Pan American Oil Company which later became Standard Oil and Amoco – Bob retired two years after Alma in 1983. It was then that Bob's second and most valuable "career" began. He was and will always be "Bob Bob" – grandfather extraordinaire to his grandkids: Jeff, Andy and Molly Malloy. It seemed that not a day passed that they would hear from or have a visit from Bob and Alma. Bob Bob also played the role of the "The Donut Man" throughout all of their childhood years in Oklahoma City. Bob would call in on Friday nights, get the grandkids' donut order and, magically, a bag of donuts from "The Donut Man" would be pinned to the mailbox for the kids to retrieve each Saturday morning. He even accommodated their friends who stayed over on Friday nights – with donuts for each child. Bob and Alma devoted time to their grandchildren in many ways, including taking them on "culture trips" – car excursions over a few days to neighboring states to visit museums and places of interest. Bob also loved all sports and adored being outdoors. He taught his son-in-law, Bill, the finer points of bass and tube fishing. He taught his grandkids how to fish and water ski at the family lake house in Eufala. But what they talk about is how he taught them to always strive to be a good person, neighbor and friend. He loved golf, playing with friends over the years including a regular foursome that he played with at age 90 – with his last round in February of this year. On his "bucket list" was his dream to attend The Masters golf tournament. His daughter Malinda made that possible when the two of them attended the tournament in 2012 – arriving early and leaving late each day – walking every hole of the course. When he became a great grandpa to his three great grandsons – the kid in Bob emerged once again. You could find him rolling around with them on the floor and playing at age 90 just as he did with their fathers. He had a great love of America and the American flag. Each day began with his own flag ceremony -- a raising of the colors – and each day ended with the retirement of the colors from his flagpole. He was moved to be a part of the Honor Flight in 2012 that flew World War II veterans to the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C. Most important, he was a man of faith with a deep devotion to God. He was a devout Catholic, praying the rosary daily, attending Mass regularly and a committed member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Nichols Hills. As a man who built his life around relationships with people from all walks of life – referring to all of them as "my friend" – Bob Sears truly defines what it means to be a great man and a great American. Bob was preceded in death by his father, Charles Edgar Sears, his mother Mary Pauline, and his brother Earl. He is survived by his wife Alma, daughter Malinda and son-in-law Bill Malloy, Wilmette, IL. His brother John and his sister Mary Carol Weisbrod. Grandchildren Jeff and Kristen Malloy, Terre Haute, IN, Andy and Emma Malloy, Chicago, IL and Molly Malloy, Brooklyn, NY. Three great grandchildren, Gavin and Mason Malloy, Terre Haute, IN and Henrik Malloy, Chicago, IL.