Errell Thomas William Orear Jr., 78, of Sedalia, formerly of High Ridge, died Jan. 9, 2023, at his home. Mr. Orear dedicated his life to music, spending most of his professional career teaching in the Northwest R-1 school district. He graduated from high school in Janesville, Wis., and earned a degree in music education from Central Methodist College. He was proud of having built up the Northwest High School band program, especially the marching band, into one of the most respected and top-performing units in the state. He was a member of the inaugural class of the Northwest R-1 Hall of Fame, inducted in 2014. He was born Nov. 15, 1944, in Little Rock, Ark., he was the son of the late Errell T. and Elizabeth J. Orear. He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 50 years: Constance Ann (Heimsch) Orear, whom he met at CMC and married Aug. 15, 1968.
He is survived by two sons: Gregory (Kimberly) Orear of Marshall, Minn., and Sean (Tahli) Orear of Brisbane, Australia; five grandchildren: Jackson, Clara and Evelyn of Marshall and Declan and Hudson of Brisbane; a sister: Susan Weddle of Phillips, Wis.; a brother: Jeff (Barb) Orear of Peshtigo, Wis.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter: Melissa.
Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until a funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church in Ballwin. Memorials may be made to a scholarship fund created in memory of Tom, Connie and Melissa: the Orear Music Scholarship, Twin Oaks Presbyterian, 1230 Big Bend Road, Ballwin, 63021.