After a short battle with cancer, James Dear Jr. known to family and friends as "Michael," entered the gates of heaven on April 6th, 2025. He was 64 years old. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Elizabeth Terrell Dear and James Hampton, stepfather John L., brothers R.C. Terrell, Jerry Dear, Edward Dear, Andy Dear, & Leonard Dear, nephew Kenneth Dear, great-nephew Kenny Dear, mother-in-law Elizabeth Spitsbergen, father-in-law Tom DeYoung.

James was born to Mary Elizabeth Terrell Dear and James Hampton on March 25, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Harrison High School. James moved to Grand Rapids, Ml with his mother in the 80s. In May of 1994, he met Tracey DeYoung, and they were married on July 15th, 1994, and remained married for over 30 years. James's greatest pride and joy, however, was his 3 children, which he gave each a nickname: James Thomas Daniel Dear, 24 aka Mooney, Jalen Andrew Floyd Dear, 20 aka Punkin' Head, and Jeremiah Liam Terrell Dear, 12 aka June Bug. James worked in the automotive industry at Paulstra CRC for over 15 years. He worked 2nd shift, and when the boys were little, he would get off work only to wake his boys up to play until wee hours in the morning with Tracey finding them on a pallet on the living room floor.

James had a passion for music and could pick up any instrument and play them by ear. He devoted his time teaching all 3 boys to play the drums. James, and his brother Jerry, created The Bottom Line Blues Band, where they spent endless hours practicing in the basement of our home. For years, they traveled throughout Michigan playing gigs like Grand Rapids Soul of the City, Blues on the Mall, Idlewild Music Festival, and many VFW halls were a few of them. James loved to spend the weekends with his family, taking them to his in-laws' lake for fishing only to do most of the work, putting the worm on and taking the fish off. Saturday nights would be for the Main Event, where he invited family and friends over for barbecues and to chop it up over his favorite sport, boxing. James loved to travel with his family, experiencing camping, horseback riding, and amusement parks, and learning to love riding on roller coasters with his boys. Although his favorite yearly destination with his family was Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park. James frequently attended Sparta Church of the Nazarene with his favorite Bible verses being Psalms 23 and Jeremiah 29:11.

Surviving is his wife of 31 years, Tracey (DeYoung), sons James (24), Jalen (20), and Jeremiah (12), his sisters Creola Harris, Shirley Cole, Lenora Dear, and Oletha Dear, his brother Anthony Dear, father-in-law Dan Spitsbergen, brother-in-law Tom DeYoung, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

We can be comforted in the promise of Acts 2:24: "But GOD raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death because it was impossible for death to keep a hold on him."There is great peace in knowing we will see him again! James will be deeply missed and in our hearts forever. We love you, Daddy. You were a wonderful husband and father! As they say, " play on, play on, play on Michael! "

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to his children at his GoFundMe Page. Rally for the Dear Family After Tragic Loss

A memorial service will be held at a later date.