Rob Keesler was an 11th-grade student in John Spear's social studies class at Monticello back in 1996, as well as Spear's right fielder on the baseball team.
"He made class fun," Keesler said. "He put his heart and soul into teaching and baseball, and was a big influence on me on wanting to be a teacher."
Spear, Monticello's baseball coach since 1984 and a long-time teacher, died in a car accident late Friday night in Rock Hill. He was 54.
Keesler was Spear's jayvee coach and in his sixth year teaching eighth-grade social studies in the district.
"He made class fun," Keesler said. "He put his heart and soul into teaching and baseball, and was a big influence on me on wanting to be a teacher."
Spear, Monticello's baseball coach since 1984 and a long-time teacher, died in a car accident late Friday night in Rock Hill. He was 54.
Keesler was Spear's jayvee coach and in his sixth year teaching eighth-grade social studies in the district.
"I've lost a mentor and a friend," Keesler said.
Spear taught each of Monticello athletic director Ken Garry's children.
"And they all liked him," Garry said. "They all thought he was an outstanding teacher. He was a conscientious coach who loved baseball, was a good family man and genuinely a nice guy, really a fine person."
Baseball is "more of a hobby" for most Monticello kids, Keesler says. Good players came through the program, just not nine of them in the same year. Overall numbers were down some years, and it's tough talking a kid into playing when bad weather keeps him inside until the first game.
"But he never had a year where he gave up," Keesler said. "He lived and breathed baseball, and he was always trying to learn more and always teaching the kids something."
Spear's players loved playing for him, and respected his way of doing things. Senior Mike Hughes, who pitches and plays the outfield, said Spear tried to get every kid into every game — which is almost unheard of at the varsity level.
"When our season went downhill last year and the year before, he made sure the seniors got some playing time," Hughes said. "Most coaches would put the younger guys in, but we were fine with that."
Spear is survived by his wife, Elaine, son, David, and daughter, Gina. David Spear is a Monticello junior and would have played this spring on the varsity for the first time. The family declined comment yesterday, and funeral arrangements were not immediately available. By Kevin Witt, Times Herald-Record January 20, 2007
School's kids remember John Spear
Monticello — They wrote in colored ink, in purples and greens and bright blues. They wrote to John Spear words he'll never read:
"¦ the kindest person I've ever known "¦
"¦ incredible teacher "¦
"¦ contagious smile "¦
Students, former and current, came to the library at Monticello High School yesterday to talk and grieve and write kind words about Spear, for 20 years a teacher and baseball coach and linchpin of this school's life.
... it was a pleasure to play on your last team ...By Ramsey Al-Rikabi; Times Herald-Record January 22, 2007
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