OBITUARY Thomas Wakefield Mears March 1, 1923 – January 19, 2019 THOMAS WAKEFIELD MEARS (1923-2019) Thomas Wakefield Mears passed away peacefully at home with his family on January 19, 2019. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Lillian Holcomb Mears and is survived by his five children; John Holcomb Mears (Darleen), Thomas Anderson Mears (Ruth), Ellen Mears Duncan (Townes), Martha Mears Wells (Charles), and Katherine Mears O’Mary (Mark). He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Thomas was born March 1, 1923, in Anniston, AL, grew up in Gadsden, and attended the University of Alabama where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. He finished his undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama and received his medical degree from George Washington University in 1946. He served in post-war Nuremberg, Germany, as a physician in the United States Army occupation forces.
While an intern at Jefferson Hillman Hospital in Birmingham, he met and married the love of his life, Ruth Holcomb. They were married December 27, 1947, and were blessed to celebrate 70 years of marriage last year before she passed away. After completing his residency in surgery at the Mayo Clinic, he and Ruth returned to Birmingham to raise their family.
A large extended family contributed to the wonderful traditions that permeated their lives together. Thomas and Ruth joined Mountain Brook Baptist Church in 1950, where they were faithful members and where Thomas served as a Life Deacon. Christmas Day, 1964, Thomas embarked on a mission trip to Ogbomosho, Nigeria, to relieve a missionary surgeon at the Baptist Hospital.
A fascinating and broadening experience, Thomas always had an inquisitive mind and loved to learn throughout his life. He enjoyed many hobbies which included sailing, flying, fishing, hunting, and golf. An avid exerciser, Thomas worked out regularly into his nineties.
His love of learning translated into a love of travel, which took him and Ruth to many interesting places around the world. He also enjoyed reading and studying history. Thomas was a founder of Brookwood Hospital and the first Chief of Staff.
He was certified by the American Board of Surgery, and was a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, Jefferson County Medical Society, and the Birmingham Surgical Society. Although he retired from medical practice in 1990, he kept current with all aspects of medicine into his mid-nineties. Other memberships included the Country Club of Birmingham, The Club, Beaux Arts Krewe, the Downtown Rotary, and several men’s luncheon groups.
He and Ruth also enjoyed being a part of the Century Investment Association. The family acknowledges with deep appreciation the loving care provided by Dr. Raleigh Kent, Dr. Gerald Norris, Jimmy Davis, and also thank you to family friend and helper, Demetrius Parker. Visitation with the family will be held in Hudson Hall at Mountain Brook Baptist Church at 1:00 p.m. on January 24, followed by a celebration of his life in the sanctuary at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Mountain Brook Baptist Church.
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