Mr. Alfred Joseph Sears, 85, of Columbia, died Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Born in Boston, MA, on December 19, 1929, he was the son of Alfred E. Sears and Edna Burchell Sears. Mr. Sears spent his childhood in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and returned to the United States in order to volunteer for service in the Air Force, from which he eventually retired. His service to the nation led him to assignments around the world, and he treasured the experiences and friendships he shared throughout his military career. He had a tremendous heart for helping others, and this was evidenced by his volunteer work as a Boy Scout Leader, and by his service to his church. He was most recently a member of Mill Creek United Methodist Church, and he enjoyed teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir. Mr. Sears lived a life of faith and joy, and he had a great impact on the lives he touched.

Mr. Sears is survived by his daughter, Deirdre "Dee Dee" Milakovich (John); grandchildren, Nicole, Kelly, Jennifer, Matthew, Whitney, and John "J.J."; and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie Jane Smeltzer Sears; and sons, Donald P. Gorton III and Walter W. Sears.

A memorial service will be held at 11 o'clock, Saturday, July 11th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, with The Rev. David W. Day officiating. Entombment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park mausoleum. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service, beginning at 10 o'clock. Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hospice, P.O. Box 805, White Rock, SC 29177 or American Cancer Society, Attn: NE Columbia RFL, 128 Stonemark Ln, Columbia, SC 29210.