IN MEMORIAM: Arthur Dear ’63
The Reverend Arthur Tyrrel Dear III, Class of 1963, of Daytona Beach died on March 16, 2023 aged 84, in Halifax Health - Hospice Care, Port Orange, Florida. Born in New Jersey, he spent his early life in Central Florida where he attended Winter Park High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Florida State University in Hotel and Motel Management before earning his Bachelor of Sacred Theology from General. Dear raised his family in Miami, then relocated to Volusia County in the mid-80s. He is predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Roxanna, and survived by his daughter Ginny LaRue (Edward); his son Breck; grandchildren Corey Harris, Bryce Ormsby, Becca Dear, Brandon Ormsby (Olivia), Annie Dear, and Emily Raver; and six great grandchildren.
Dear was passionate about his role in the Church, and shepherding those who were unable to attend services. He believed in inclusivity and loved to show others about a relationship with the Lord. Dear was ordained to the priesthood at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church where he served as assistant rector; he also served as rector of The Church of the Incarnation and assistant rector at Holy Child in Miami. Father Dear served in the Episcopal Church of Southeast Florida under The Rt. Rev. James Duncan. He spent time in a secular capacity in the planning office for Miami Dade Transit Authority. In 1984, he returned to Central Florida and began working with the Diocese of Central Florida serving variously as rector, assistant rector, and interim rector in multiple parishes, including St. Peter the Fisherman, New Smyrna; Christ Church in Fort Meade, St. James, Ormond Beach; Grace, Port Orange; and finally, Church of the Holy Child, Ormond Beach. He also served as assistant rector at St. James in Clayton, Georgia, and in 1989, he started an accounting business in New Smyrna Beach, ATD & Associates.
Dear enjoyed spending time with his family camping, boating, swimming, and reading. He was an avid writer and took every chance he could to preach a sermon and share his love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
A celebration of life was scheduled for Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Church of Holy Child, 1225 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Halifax Health Hospice in Port Orange.
From an obituary Published in Daytona Beach News-Journal, Posted online on March 23, 2023