July 11, 1946 - July 14, 2025
Terry Roger Spears passed away in his home in Stockton, California, on July 14, 2025, at the age of 79. Terry was born on July 11, 1946, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to Paul and Gwendolyn Spears. The family moved to California, where Terry attended Stockton Junior High and A.A. Stagg High School. During those formative years, Terry met the love of his life, Lyla Anderson, and the two developed a friendship that eventually blossomed throughout high school. Terry enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduating from high school in 1964. During his time in the Air Force, Terry served as part of the Air Police in Vietnam. He married his high school sweetheart, Lyla, on June 26, 1966. The couple shared a 2 ½ year honeymoon on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii, while Terry was stationed there, before returning to Stockton to start a family. After an honorable discharge from the military, Terry worked a dedicated 50-year career with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department. He began his service as a Deputy Sheriff in May of 1969, eventually being promoted through the ranks to Captain. In 2001, he “officially” retired from the Sheriff’s Department, quickly returning to work per diem for the same department as a bailiff with the San Joaquin Courts. He was very proud of his dedicated service to the San Joaquin Sheriff’s Department and was grateful for the many colleagues he met there and called friends.
Terry and Lyla’s life was full of love, fun and adventure. They shared a love of taking cruises and traveled the world, embarking on 14 cruises together, many of which were with their various “cruise pals” that they cherished so much. Their love of theater and the arts would lead them to attend plays produced by California Music Theater in Sacramento, of which they were Director’s Circle Members. This passion for theater was something that Terry continued to support and enjoy even after Lyla’s passing in 2013, enthusiastically sharing shows with his beloved grandkids and other family members and friends, especially his son Roger, with whom he spent a great deal of time in his latter years.
Terry continued visiting the second home that he and Lyla bought in South Lake Tahoe over 23 years ago, which they enjoyed spending time in, especially with their grandchildren. Terry and Lyla met many special friends and neighbors in Tahoe, with whom Terry continued to share cherished visits and fond memories. Terry coined his sweet cabin to be his “Happy Place” where he put in a lot of hard work and dedication, but also thoroughly relished the fruits of his labor. His plan was to move there full time, making Stockton his second home, but his busy schedule of season tickets to Sacramento Broadway Theater and Music Circus, Stockton Ports Baseball games, local ice hockey, and many other social engagements made it difficult to do. His life was full of people, places and entertainment, and he thrived in it. His truly was a life well lived.
Terry was married to Lyla for 47 years before her passing on August 26, 2013, and together they had three children. He is survived by his children: Roger Spears of Stockton, Jennifer Whitlock (Jeff) of Stockton, and Dan Spears (Tricia) of Gonzales; 5 grandchildren: Shania, Chantel and Joseph Spears, and Justin and Jackson Whitlock; sister Paula Peters of Hughson, and many beloved family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife Lyla Spears and his parents Paul and Gwendolyn Spears.
A funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m., August 8 th , 2025, at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, Hwy 99 and East Harney Lane, Lodi, CA, with a viewing on August 7 th , 2025, from 11:00 am - 6:30 p.m., at the same location. A reception will follow immediately after the funeral services at a location to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Terry’s memory to Hospice of San Joaquin or your favored charity.
VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 11:00am - 6:30pm on Thursday, August 7th, 2025 at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
SERVICE
A service will be held at 1:000am on Friday, August 8th, 2025 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Spears family.