Terry Kennon "Kenny" Lear

Canton- During the late morning hours of Friday, December 31, 2021, Terry  Kennon “Kenny” Lear, age 72, left his earthly home and entered into his eternal heavenly home in paradise.

Kenny was born May 21, 1949 to the late Earl Kennon Lear and the late Edith Holland Lear Ford. He had resided most of his life in Canton and had proudly and honorably served his country in the United States Navy.   Kenny was a dedicated employee of Evergreen Packaging, where he retired with many years of faithful service.  “Dabba” as he was affectionately called by his family and friends, was indeed a true outdoorsman. He spent many hours hunting deer and bear among the mountains that he loved and his wonderful memories of going hiking and camping were held close to his heart. During the summer season, Dabba could often be found working in his garden and staying busy tending to his bees.   Mr. Lear was a member of Pisgah Free Will Baptist Church and most recently attended Long Branch Baptist Church in Canton.  He deeply loved each of his family and they will never forget the great man that their “Dabba” was and how he touched their lives. A famous quote by John Muir seems most fitting to describe Terry Kennon Lear, “The mountains are calling and I must go.”  We will miss him deeply.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister, Joy Renay Lear.

Surviving are his loving wife of 52 years, Frances Burnett Lear of Canton; his daughters, Renee’ Smith and Eddie of Smyrna, TN, Crystal Almaraz and Jorge of Canton and Jill Lear- Parker and Charles of Canton; grandchildren, Ryan Lear, who was just like a son, and his wife Scarlett, Aspen Smith,  Amber Smith,  Jorge Almaraz, Alex Almaraz, Tyler Glance  and Mollie Glance; great-grandchildren, Kylie, Carson, and Nathan Kennon; a sister, Sandra Trull of Beech Island, SC;  a brother, Mike Lear and Rhonda of Canton; and many friends.

 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International, Haywood East camp, PO Box 1204, Canton, NC 28716.

A service of remembrance to honor and celebrate the life of Mr. Lear will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, January 9, 2022 at Long Branch Baptist Church in Canton. Reverend Shane Baker and Reverend Jeff  Heatherly will be officiating. The family will be receiving friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

Crawford / Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service is honored to be caring for the Lear family.