[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 127 (Monday, July 20, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





           IN MEMORY OF MAJOR GENERAL STANHOPE S. SPEARS, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 2020

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, the People of South 
Carolina paid tribute to Major General Stan Spears upon his death. 
General Spears was respected by his fellow Guard members and trusted by 
all, as he addressed natural catastrophes endangering families such as 
hurricanes, ice storms, and tornados. He courageously led the 
transition of the Guard from domestic service to include successful 
Guard deployment in the Global War on Terrorism worldwide.
  It was humbling to serve as his State Staff Judge Advocate where I 
saw firsthand his devotion for the public. He inspired three of my sons 
to serve in the National Guard. I include in the Record the below 
obituary of accolades, which is well deserved.


                          thoughtful Obituary

       COLUMBIA--Major General Stanhope S. Spears Sr. who served 
     16 years as the elected 26th Adjutant General of the State of 
     South Carolina from 1995-2011 died peacefully in his sleep on 
     Tuesday, July 14, 2020. For his 83 years, he lived an 
     extraordinary life one in which was highlighted by his love 
     of family and humble service to others.
       General Spears was born in his beloved Clover, SC to the 
     late Joseph J. Spears and Emily Sifford Spears. His fondness 
     for his hometown started early as he always believed his 
     large family, the values of the community and kindness of its 
     citizens collectively raised him to become a well-rounded 
     individual. His drive for success and regimented work ethic 
     started early as he became an Eagle Scout at 13. He 
     attributed the foundation of the Boy Scouts in helping to 
     define and shape his leadership skills. A naturally gifted 
     athlete, he led South Carolina's Shine Bowl All-Star high 
     school team to a 27-7 victory over North Carolina in 1954. He 
     received multiple college scholarship opportunities 
     ultimately deciding on a full scholarship to The University 
     of South Carolina in 1955. As quarterback for the Fighting 
     Gamecocks from 1955 through 1959, Gen. Spears assisted the 
     1958 squad to a 7-3 record and ranking 15th nationally in the 
     final Associated Press college football poll. General Spears 
     was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and earned a Bachelor of 
     Science, Business Administration Degree a semester early in 
     January 1959.
       In 1959, after teaching for a short while in Camden, SC, 
     Gen Spears joined the South Carolina Air National Guard and 
     reported to U.S. Air Force Basic Training on Aug 4, 1959. 
     After two years, General Spears switched to the SC Army 
     National Guard and enrolled in Officer's Candidate School in 
     1961. He was promoted and worked hard on his SC Guard career.
       Between 1961 and 1994, General Spears focused on his 
     corporate insurance career and family. In 1963 he married 
     Gastonia, NC native Dorothy Parlier. They lived in Charlotte, 
     NC, Shelby, NC, Greensboro, NC and ultimately settled in 
     Columbia, SC in 1966. They added two children to the family 
     along the way with Stan Jr., and Alester. General Spears' 
     polished demeanor and vibrant personality attributed to very 
     successful Executive Vice-President Sales roles in the 
     international companies of Marsh and McLennan and Willis 
     Corroon. His insurance career spanned more than 30 years. It 
     was this career that allowed Gen. Spears, his wife and 
     children to enjoy life and vacation frequently at Edisto 
     Beach, SC.
       On a business trip to London in 1994, Gen. Spears received 
     a call from MGT. Eston Marchant, the then current SC Adjutant 
     General, encouraging him to run for the Adjutant General 
     position that he was vacating. After much deliberation with 
     his wife and fellow guardsmen, Gen. Spears felt the calling 
     to serve the great State of South Carolina and embarked on 
     his first campaign. With his wife by his side, they 
     campaigned together throughout the state and fully devoted 
     their lives to maintaining the stellar reputation of one of 
     the finest National Guards in the country. Gen. Spears 
     forever thought himself as a Citizen-Soldier and ran his 
     first election as a Democrat, ultimately switching to run as 
     a Republican for his last three elections. His devotion to 
     the State of SC was endless. He always voted for people over 
     party, supported any activities promoting a positive light on 
     SC nationally (he was delighted and supported any SC school 
     in national championships), and worked tirelessly to help in 
     national elections if the outcome would benefit the State of 
     SC and the Guard. He and his son, Stan Jr., headed up the 
     ``Veterans for Bush'' campaign during Bush's 2000 
     Presidential Campaign. Additionally, he spearheaded the 
     ``Veterans for McCain'' campaign in SC for Sen. John McCain's 
     2008 Presidential run. During his second and third terms, Gen 
     Spears' troops were heavily involved in the Sept. 11, 2001 
     response and Global War on Terror. He personally witnessed 
     the attack on the Pentagon from an offside location less than 
     a mile away. He felt a heavy obligation to support all South 
     Carolina servicemen and their families during these stressful 
     times. His ``Mission First-People Always'' approach is still 
     remembered by guardsmen today.
       As the SC Adjutant General, he served as Head of the 
     Military Department of the state of South Carolina. He 
     administered the affairs of the South Carolina Army and Air 
     National Guard, the Emergency Management Division, the State 
     Guard, Youth Challenge, and Americorp.
       General Spears received many major awards and decorations 
     during his 51 year service to the National Guard including: 
     Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious 
     Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement 
     Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve 
     Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component 
     Achievement Medal, Defense Meritorious Medal, State Longevity 
     Ribbon, Safety Ribbon, Retired Medal, Secretary of Defense 
     Medal and Secretary of the Army Medal. Additionally, he 
     served on the Citadel Board of Visitors for 16 years and 
     received a Citadel Honorary Degree for his dedication. 
     General Spears was also awarded The Order of the Palmetto, 
     the State of SC's highest civilian honor award, in 1988 by 
     Gov. Carroll Campbell.
       Upon retiring, General Spears was able to focus more on 
     many activities near and dear to his heart. As a lover of the 
     great outdoors, he turned his attention to gardening, 
     hunting, and bird watching from his porch at Edisto. He 
     always promoted and kept up on activities associated with the 
     Guard. His love of college football, specifically the 
     Gamecocks, never waned. However, his greatest passion was 
     spending time with his family, spending time at Edisto or 
     traveling the world with his wife and family. Gen. Spears' 
     family appreciates all the kindness of friends along that way 
     and the wonderful care he received at Wildewood Downs, from 
     his doctors and through Abby Road Hospice.
       Gen. Spears is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy 
     (Dot) Parlier Spears of Columbia; his son, Alester Spears and 
     Phillip Pettis of Charleston, SC; his grandson, Stanhope S. 
     (Ford) Spears III of Columbia, SC; his nephew, Derek Spears 
     (Missy) of Charlotte, NC and niece, Suzanne Spears Wilson 
     (Scott) of Traverse City, MI.
       He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Emily Spears, 
     his son, Stanhope S. Spears, Jr., and his brother and sister-
     in-law, Joseph J. Spears and Marie Spears.

                          ____________________