Reginald Owen Sear
April 27th, 1935 – March 12th, 2026
R. Owen Sear, age 90, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, at Winter Haven Hospital.Owen was born on April 27, 1935, in Shanghai, China, a British citizen, to Robert Vaughan Sear and Lillian Ritchie Sear. He lived in China until 1945. During World War II he and his family were held as prisoners in a Japanese concentration camp in Shanghai for 2 1/2 years. After repatriation, the family spent time in Canada and Colombia before moving to the United States. Owen became a naturalized U.S. citizen at age 18.Owen attended Johns Hopkins University for both undergraduate studies and medical school, earning his Doctor of Medicine in 1962 with specialties in pathology and nuclear medicine. He spent most of his career as a pathologist at Winter Haven Hospital, retiring in 1997.Throughout his life, Owen enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies and interests. During college he participated in track and football and enjoyed summers lifeguarding in Ocean City, MD. Upon completing school, he earned his pilot’s license, delighting in flying his family on trips and adventures. He was an avid golfer and snow-skier, later taking up snowboarding. He competed in triathlons and loved boating. He frequently contributed letters to the editor in various publications. He had a wide-ranging taste in music and a love of dance. Owen also enjoyed weekly poker games with friends.He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Julie Sear; his son, Owen Sear, Jr.; his daughter, Kelley Sear; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his children, Shawn Rice and Ryan Sear; his parents; and his sisters, Romany Wilkinson and Dorothy Gable.A visitation will be held on March 29, 2026, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Winter Haven. A private inurnment in the church columbarium will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Grace Lutheran School Endowment Fund, 321 Ave C SE, Winter Haven, FL 33880.Owen will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his family.
