Harold Truman Spears, Jr.

Harold Truman Spears, Jr. 87 Lakeland- Harold Truman Spears, Jr., 87, passed away at his home on Sunday, May 28, 2017 due to multiple myeloma. He was surrounded by his loving family. Harold was born June 21, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, to Lauline Grant Spears and Harold Truman Spears. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1951. He was a member of SAE fraternity. While at UGA he was Captain of the golf team and was Southeastern Conference Champion in 1949. He was a contemporary of Arnold Palmer, who was Captain of the golf team at Wake Forest University. They were opponents several times, but Harold had to admit that he never beat Arnold. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and spent 2 years as a proud Marine. Upon honorable discharge his rank was 1st Lieutenant. Harold started his career in the motion picture theatre business working for Carl Floyd of Haines City, owner of Floyd Theatres. Harold and his family moved to Lakeland in 1959. Floyd Theatres eventually became Floyd Enterprises, which consisted of a chain of motion picture theatres in Florida and Georgia and a Pepsi Cola and 7UP bottling plant in Fort Myers. Upon Carl Floyd’s retirement Harold became President and Chairman of the Board. The company was later sold to a larger company, and rather than retire Harold purchased 2 drive-in theatres, the Silver Moon Drive-In in Lakeland and the Joy-Lan Drive-In in Dade City. Work was his passion. Until recently, he could be seen working at the Silver Moon Drive-In and Swap Shop. A devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many, Harold also loved to fly his Cessna 310, often flying to Athens to see his beloved Bulldogs play football. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church and for many years part of the Care Group, visiting others in ill health. To sum up Harold, he was honest, generous, loyal, conscientious, helpful to all and had a strong work ethic. He will be missed by so many. Harold was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, John Lee Spears. He is survived by Betty Bowden Spears, his wife of 66 years; daughters Anne Spears Powell (John), Carol Spears Sawyer (Pete); granddaughters Lauren Powell Kopilash (Mike), Haley Sawyer; grandsons Chip Sawyer and Wade Powell; great-grandsons Caiden and Blake Kopilash. The family is grateful to caregiver Donna Jeffords for the loving care she provided in Harold’s final days and to Good Shepherd Hospice, Auburndale. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Lakeland on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church or First UMC Children’s Clothes Closet, 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland FL 33801 Arrangements by Heath Funeral Chapel.