Sterling resident David L. Shearer, 83, passed away July 31, 2022, at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.

He was born Feb. 23, 1939, in Pulaski Twp., Jackson County, Mich. He grew up on his family’s farm in Concord, Mich. and worked on many farms in the area. He picked huckleberries, trapped, and also had a paper route with his brother, Bob. He bought his first car, a 1937 Chevy 4 door and later a 1956 Ford T.

David lived with his sister and brother-in-law, Babe and Randy Holloman and finished his education. He married Mary Margret Black on Sept. 18, 1960.

David served in the U.S. Marine Corp from Jan. 6, 1959, until his honorable discharge on Jan. 5, 1965. During his service he received a Certificate of Good Conduct as an E-4 Corporal.

David worked as a telephone cable splicer for many years traveling all over the United States. Moving to Alaska in 1972, he continued his profession until retiring in 1993 from the I.B.E.W. He had the pleasure of working with his family and proudly teaching the trade. David traveled with his son, Wayne, and worked for many years in several states.

David loved to fish and was an avid carpenter and woodworker.

If you did something wrong, he made sure you knew it. If you needed anything, he did his best to help. He had a heart of gold and loved his family so much.

David is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Mary Shearer of Sterling; son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Debbie Shearer of Sterling; daughters and sons-in-law, Edith and Ron Frazier of Soldotna and Laura and John Bogie of Homer; daughter-in-law, Trish Shearer Barber of Homer; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers and sister-in-law, Robert “Bob” and Christy Shearer and Frank Shearer; sisters and brother-in-law, Aileen Webster, Eleanor Coppernoll, Helen and Hal Kimball, Babe Holloman and Ruth Ann Haylett.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold F. and Edith B. Shearer and a son, Calvin Shearer.

We will have fond memories we shared. He will be in our hearts forever and dearly missed.

A celebration of his life will be 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, on the Homer Spit behind the Pier 1 Theater.

Arrangements by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.