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John Nelson Sears, 86, of Alamogordo, New Mexico passed away on Friday, August 21, 2026, in Alamogordo, NM. John was born September 30, 1939, in El Paso, Texas to John Bryant Sears and Lillie Mae Nelson Sears. He was raised in Carlsbad, New Mexico, where his family was a proud part of the community and of the First Presbyterian Church.
John married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth (Libby) Anne Boyce in Carlsbad, NM on February 11, 1961. After his undergraduate work at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque where their oldest daughter Karri was born, John finished his dental degree at Baylor University in Dallas, Texas where Karla was born.
John established his dental practice alongside Dr. James (Jimmy) Beall in Ruidoso, NM circa 1967, and Cliff and Craig were born subsequently. He enjoyed gardening, spending time with his and Libby’s parents, traveling, family reunions, supporting his kids in their activities and friendships and sneaking around houses under construction after hours. Their children were extremely blessed to live in a safe and loving home with parents that not only loved each other but were best friends.
The community of Ruidoso embraced John both professionally and as a friend (more like family) over the nearly 40 years he and Libby lived there. He and Libby became very involved in the First Christian Church there and encouraged their children in their youth activities there. After the kids left home, they devoted a lot of time to their 8 grandkids.
They made many treasured friends in Ruidoso, and John continued to maintain those close friendships there through getting together for meals and games and celebration events the rest of his life.
John retired in 2006, and he and Libby built a house and moved to Alamogordo in 2007. He and Libby began attending Christ Community Church and enjoyed traveling, making their new house a home and establishing a yard with a vegetable garden and beautiful flowers and fruit trees.
After his loss of Libby after 48 cherished years of marriage, he made deep and lasting friendships in Alamogordo through joining Master Gardeners and through Bridge Club where he was an avid and competitive player (He loved to come in 1st!) and through a Bible Study group and other close friendships with people in and outside his church. He also enjoyed many family get togethers with kids, grandkids and great grandkids and time with his canine companion, Amber.
Many will remember his warm and kind personality. He cared for everyone in his life and made them feel loved and appreciated. He made everyone laugh with unforgettably well-timed jokes and quick wit. He was blessed and very thankful to be well-loved by many people - family and friends from Ruidoso and Alamogordo who supported him through life’s ups and downs.
John is survived by three of his children, Karri Howard (Jim), Cliff Sears (Tina), and Craig Sears; eight grandchildren, Grant Howard, Reese Howard (Samantha), Clay Howard, Kegan Perry (Estrella), Quinn Perry, Riley Perry, Jack Sears and Ian Sears, one step grandchild, Bradley John (Kailia), and six great-grandchildren, Katy, Knox, Nuada, Jaxon, Emrys, Bryanna (adopted), and three step great-grandchildren, Evelynn, Jeremiah and Samson. John is predeceased by his wife, Libby, his daughter Karla, his sister Shirley Matkins, and his parents John and Lillie Mae Sears.
In lieu of flowers, John has requested any memorial contributions made to Cancer Research or St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital (PO Box 474, Memphis, TN 38101-9958).
The Funeral Service for John Sears will be held at 9:00 am, Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Christ Community Church.
Burial will follow at 12:00 pm at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruidoso.
A reception will be held following services at the Ruidoso Convention Center.
