David Morgan Spears Sr., 78, died peacefully Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, surrounded by his wife and family. A longtime faithful servant of our Lord, David was above all, a man who followed Jesus and loved his family. He was a founding member and elder at Grace Chapel on High Holly Mountain in Scaly Mountain.
David was born in Jenkins, Kentucky, Feb. 25, 1947, to the late William Burnside Spears Sr., and Mae Johnson Spears. He grew up in Jenkins, Kentucky and then Orlando, Florida. David joined the U.S. Army to serve in the Vietnam War.
While attending college in Winchester, Kentucky he met and married Pamela Sue Gardner, his loving wife, of 58 years. Their life together took them to Winter Park, Florida, Washington D.C. and Marblehead, Massachusetts but they made their home in Atlanta and Sky Valley, Georgia, where they raised three children and were incredibly present in the lives of their grandchildren.
An accomplished businessman, David started his career with Brach Candy Co., then Polaroid, before leaving to build his own businesses to allow more time to be connected to his wife and family. When his company Club Management Associates, Inc., acquired Sky Valley Resort in 1991, David and Pam felt called to build their home in Sky Valley.
In addition to his wife Pam, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Norelyne Tipton Goodlett; children, Joy Spears Walstrum, Sarah Spears (Jay) Stewart and Morgan Spears; grandchildren, Taylor David (Sydney) Spears, Abigail Grace Walstrum, Josh Lummus, Matthew Edward Stewart and David Ryan Stewart; sister, Jewel Spears Brooker; his Japanese son, Tatsuya Yoshinaga and his family; a host of beloved great-grandkids, cousins, nieces and nephews; and many cherished friends.
David joins his parents; brother, William Burnside Spears, Jr.; sister, Judy Spears Reed; and a multitude of other loved ones in heaven.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, March 21, at 1 p.m. at Grace Chapel on High Holly Mountain, 9915 Dillard Rd, Scaly Mountain, N.C. Pastors Gary Hewins and Steve Kerhoulas will officiate. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Family Life Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made to Grace Chapel on High Holly Mountain or Community Bible Church Highlands.