Max L. Spears

A memorial service for Max L. Spears, age 58, Putnam resident, is pending. Service details will be posted to the Redinger Funeral Home website in Seiling at www.redingerfuneralhome.com.

Spears, son of Fred Fredrick and Neva Jean (Travis) Spears, was born March 16, 1956 at Lincoln, Kan. He died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014, at his home near Putnam in Dewey County.

Spears was raised at Lucas, Kan., where he graduated from high school.

He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in 1974. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Kansas where he furthered his education at a vocational technical school in Beloit, Kan. and earned his certification as an automobile technician.

He married Carmen Herbel on Aug. 5, 1978 at Lucas, Kan. In 1980, they moved to the Thomas area where they had continued to make their home.

Spears worked several years for Howe Automotive in Clinton, which later became Smith Family Nissan.

Spears, along with his family, was active in the dog show industry.

He was a member and president of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Central Oklahoma, a charter member of West Central Oklahoma Kennel Club, a longtime member of Canadian Valley and Sooner State Kennel Clubs and Oklahoma City Kennel Club.

He had successfully shown dogs all over the country for 36 years, including winning two best of breeds at Westminster Kennel Club in New York City. He had owned, shown and bred many champions, group winners and best in show dogs.

Survivors include his wife, Carmen Spears; his  two brothers, Mark Spears, and his wife, Gaylene, of Lucas, Kan. and, Michael Spears, and his wife, Anita, of Wilson, Kan.; nieces and nephews, Deanna, Tyson, Travis, Brianna, Anna Ward, Cole and Darissa Spears; his mother-in-law, Carolyn Herbel; a brother-in-law, Kent Herbel and his wife, Lori, and their daughters, Lacy Herbel-Syzemore and Kelli Herbel Bausch.

Preceding him in death were his parents; an infant son, Matthew Clay Spears, Jan. 5, 1985; and his father-in-law, Norman Herbel.