Spear, former city councilman, dies at 63

Herbert “Herbie” Ingram Spear Sr. — a former Kinston city councilman, business owner and Lenoir Community College coach — died Tuesday. He was 63.

Spear served on the City Council from 1985-89; he took his seat on the Council the same year O.A. “Buddy” Ritch Jr. started the first of his four terms as mayor of Kinston.

“He was a very good and thoughtful council member,” Ritch said of Spear. “He loved the people and did what he could to serve the people, who were of the utmost importance to him.”

Pride of Kinston executive director Adrian King grew up as a neighbor of Spear on McLewean Street; both attended Wake Forest University. King recalled with a sad laugh on Tuesday about when Spear learned how to dance in King’s kitchen when both were youngsters.

“Herb meant a lot to this community,” King said. “He was the epitome of a kind, warm soul. I never heard him speak a deliberate unkind word about anybody.”

Spear helped found the athletic program at Lenoir Community College during the 1960s, and was the school’s first athletic director and men’s basketball coach.

“He was one of the pioneers of our athletic department,” current LCC athletic director Lind Hartsell said. “He made a very positive impact, not just at LCC, but throughout Kinston.”

Hartsell said LCC would honor Spear’s memory at a future Lancers athletic contest.

Spear was also the owner of Spear’s Sporting Goods for several years, taking over the business from his father. The business moved from downtown to its Herritage Street location in the 1980s and was the center of the universe for teams and youngsters wanting the latest shoes and athletic gear.

“I bought many a pair of Chuck Taylor tennis shoes from Spear’s Sporting Goods,” Hartsell said with a chuckle.

Spear is survived by two brothers, Denny Spear of Atlanta and Tommy Spear of Williamsburg, Va. He is also survived by his sons Herbert “Gram” Ingram Spear Jr. and wife, Diane, of Kinston and Charles Bailey Spear of Emerald Isle, along with four grandchildren.

In addition to all his professional successes, Gram Spear said his father was an incredible family man to he and his brother.

“He was a great dad,” Gram Spear said. “He pretty much raised both of us by himself and was always very active in our lives, athletics and school. He was a great Granddaddy to his grandchildren.

Part of what made his dad great was his affection for his hometown, Gram Spear said.

“He loved Kinston,” Gram Spear said. “He had opportunities to go and coach elsewhere after LCC, but chose to stay in Kinston.”

Visitation will be held for the Spear family from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Westminster United Methodist Church; that is also where his memorial service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the LCC Foundation, care of Jeannie Kennedy, P.O. Box 188, Kinston, NC, 28502.

Bryan C. Hanks can be reached at 252-559-1074 or at bhanks@freedomenc.com. Check out Bryan’s blog at bhanks.encblogs.com.