Obituary of Ralph L. Shearer, Jr.

Ralph L. Shearer, Jr. Afton, NY

Ralph Lewis Shearer Junior, 80, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 2nd, 2018 at the home of his daughter, Laura Gregory in Afton, NY, surrounded by his loving children and grandchildren who he fondly referred to as “the gang”.

He was born in Binghamton, NY on October 6th, 1937 to Ralph and Florence (Cosgrove) Shearer, Sr. In June of 1956; Ralph graduated from Bainbridge Central High School where he had also achieved the NYS title for fastest drummer. On December 22nd, 1956 he married the love of his life, Edna “Jo” (Cutting) Shearer. Over the course of 13 years, they would bring 6 beautiful children into this world and would travel across the United States to live in Arizona and California before settling back in Bainbridge, NY to raise their family and finally retire in Afton, NY. Ralph was a hard-working man who worked 2-3 jobs at times to provide for his family.

He retired from the United States Postal Service, and worked many other jobs including UPS, Borden’s Glue Factory and IBM. Ralph loved his family above all else. His hope and desire was to see his loved ones come to know the Lord as their personal Savior. For the better part of his life, he could be found every morning sitting at the table with his Bible in front of him and a mug of coffee in his hand. He taught the men in his life what sacrificial love for his wife truly meant and he knew just what to say to make his daughters and granddaughters feel beautiful and cherished. He was notorious for his over-the-top corny jokes and loved to know that he could so easily put a smile on the faces of his loved ones. There was always enough room in his heart for more and although he may have had 53 descendants, the number of people he adopted into his life is countless and he will be missed by many. “Guitar Man” is what he was affectionately referred as and if he could get his hands on that six-stringed instrument, there would swiftly follow many happy songs and perhaps even a dance or two. His love for music also provided many opportunities for “playing jobs”. “Poppy” absolutely adored every child, grandchild and great-grandchild that had the privilege of bouncing on his knee and clapping along to the rhythm in his heart that was without end.

In February of 2009, he laid his loving wife to rest. He is also predeceased by his mother, father and sisters, Patricia Sheldon and Doris James.

Ralph is survived by his sister Jean Sanford, Chico, CA as well as his children and their spouses, Laura and Bruce Gregory, Carol and Gary Mohr, Ralph and Lisa Shearer III, Deann and Brent Paino, Jeanette and Steve Lothridge, and Kathleen Shearer and his 24 grandchildren Philip Gregory and Natalie Edwards, Matthew and Emily Gregory, Sharon (Gregory) and Tommy McElwrath, Caleb Gregory, Cali Gregory, Adam and Lindy Monroe, Clayton and Erin Monroe, Cole Monroe, Amanda (Vanburen) and Billy Bunzey, Joseph Shearer, Benjamin Shearer, Paul and Angela McLain, Ashley (McLain) and Ricki Stanton Jr, Zackary and Jaimie McLain, Corbin and Tiffany Paino, BreAnn Paino, Samuel Lothridge, Kathleen Lothridge, Luke Lothridge, Shane Lothridge, Michael Shearer, Jeanette Shearer, Carol Shearer, and Aubrey Fox as well as his 23 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 7th, at First Baptist Church of Afton, 30 Caswell St Afton, NY with visitation starting at 10 a.m. that morning. In lieu of flowers, all charitable donations may be sent to Life Choices Center Inc. 93 Oak St, Binghamton, NY 13905 or donate at https://life-choices-center-inc.networkforgood.com.  Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.landersfh.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel Sidney.