Tom passed away on Sunday morning, September 8, 2024 at the Nebraska Medical Center.  Private family services will be held at a later date.  Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to the family which will be designated at a later time.

Thomas Loton Spears was born on September 23, 1938, at the Hand Hospital in Shenandoah, Iowa, the son of Paul Loton and Bertha "Blanche" (Thompson) Spears.  His early life was spent on the family farms in Shenandoah and also at the family's second home in Phoenix, AZ.  When it came to his school years, much of that time was spent in Arizona. In 1955 the family returned to Shenandoah so Tom could complete his Junior and Senior years with the Class of 1957.  During his tenure at Shenandoah High School, he played and lettered in football, basketball and baseball.  He was also a member of the "S" club for the superior athletes in high school.

In February of 1956 Tom enlisted in the Army National Guard.  He served his country for three years and received an honorable discharge in February of 1959.  Tom worked as an over-the-road truck driver and also alongside his father Paul on the family farms.  He eventually took over the farming operation which consisted of planting corn and soybeans, raising hogs and feeding cattle.  He was also a dealer for Vigortone feed earning several top salesman awards.

On March 19, 1970, Thomas Loton was united in marriage to Lilli "Ann" Monroe in Glenwood, Iowa.  Following their marriage the couple honeymooned in Las Vegas.    Ann was a widow with two young daughters, Carol and Cherie.  On January 13, 1971, Tom and Ann welcomed a daughter, Tina Lea.  He was a very loving and caring father to all three of his girls.

Tom and Ann enjoyed many trips together.  They enjoyed cruises to Nassau Bahamas, Paradise Island and Acapulco, Mexico.  Additionally, they traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, San Diego, California, Scottsdale, Arizona and enjoyed a fishing trip to Canada.  Although Tom and Ann later divorced, they remained loving and caring towards each other and their family.

Even though farming occupied most of his time, he still enjoyed several hobbies.  He loved to fish, golf, go boating, and have coffee with his friends.  Tom could often be found on his John Deere Gator looking for golf balls up at the fence line of the golf course.  Car rides to check out the cows and the crops always brought a smile to his face.  When you drove by Tom's farm on Highway 59 you could often find him out front watching traffic go by.  He enjoyed watching sports on television with the Nebraska Cornhusker Football team being his favorite.  He also had a special relationship with his pit bull Zina, whom he enjoyed walking with his scooter up and down the driveway.  Tom was a 66-year member of the Elks Lodge #1122, an organization which was dear to his heart.

Tom entered into eternal peace on Sunday, September 8, 2024, in Omaha, Nebraska.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Blanche Spears and granddaughter Ellianna Rieber.  Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Tina L. Spears-Rieber and husband Jason of Shenandoah; stepdaughters, Carol Shough and husband Tom of Essex and Cherie St. Louis of Magnolia, TX; brother, Robert L. Spears of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren, Colten Williamson and fiancé Diana of Oregon and Drake L. Rieber of Elliott, IA; step grandchildren, Christina Friis and husband Andrew Sanborn of Ham Lake, MN, Conor Friis of Omaha, NE, Aimee McKenzie and husband Austin of Magnolia, TX and Ashlee Mitchell and husband Layton of Montgomery, TX; step-great grandchildren, Bryce McKenzie, Shyanne and Everlee Mitchell and Owen and Eleanor Sanborn; his loving and protective companion, his pit bull, Zina, a gift from his granddaughter; other relatives and many friends.