Ronald Dale Mears Sr., retired state trooper

Ronald Dale Mears Sr., 79, of Townsend passed away peacefully Monday, June 17, 2019.

Ron was born March 18, 1940, in Milford, son of Henry Dale Mears Sr. and Mary Nash Mears. He was the eldest of six boys and is predeceased by his parents and brothers: Richard, Gerald and Dale Jr. He is survived by his brothers Lloyd and William, both lifelong Sussex County residents. Ron was married once, to Dorothy J. Rodgers April 18, 1964.  They were married 12 years and had one son, Ronald Dale Mears Jr.

Ron is survived by his son, daughter-in-law Abigail Culver Mears; four beloved grandchildren, Colin Tate Mears, 23, Connor Nash Mears, 19, Lillian Audrey Mears, 16, and Hannah Reese Mears, 13; and stepgrandchildren (triplets) Brooke, Bronwyn, and Blake Bare, 20, all residents of Elkton, Md.

Ron graduated from Georgetown High School in 1958. He was appointed a Delaware State Trooper Jan. 15, 1962.

During his career, Ron was assigned to Troop 2, State Road, Troop 8, Turnpike, Troop 9, Odessa, and Headquarters, Dover. Ron served a number of years at Troop 9 as a shift commander and traffic lieutenant. Later he was transferred to Headquarters and served as the director of Community Relations and Youth Aid. He completed his career as the director of the Traffic Section. Captain Ronald Mears,  No. 210, retired Jan. 15, 1982.

Ron was a Master Mason of 50 years in good standing of Union Lodge No. 05 of Middletown.

Ron loved the outdoors most of all, as a Sussex County farmer at heart, a hunter, and as he got older, he worked diligently to improve, protect and conserve the nature and beauty of Delaware’s State Parks. He was proud to continue to serve the State of Delaware on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council for the last 26 years and as the chairman for over 10 years. 

Ron was a social creature who loved nothing more than to share a good meal with his beloved friends and family. He was a natural historian and leader with an amazing memory, a storyteller at heart whose leadership and support to the State of Delaware will be remembered in perpetuity.  

There will be a viewing Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to noon; a Masonic service will be held at 10 a.m. at Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that any donations be made to the fund established in his name to benefit Lums Pond State Park. Checks in his memory can be made payable and sent to: Delaware Community Foundation Ron Mears - Delaware State Parks Fund, P.O. Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899.

Visit Daniels-Hutchison.com to send online condolences.