Gregory Scott Mears of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the age of 56. He was born July 22, 1969, the son of Carrol Dee and Joyce Ellen (Cloud) Mears.
Mr. Mears was a 1987 graduate of Grubbs High School. He went on to obtain both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Agricultural Business from Arkansas State University. His education reflected not only his dedication to learning but also his passion for agriculture and supporting the communities and industries connected to it. A lifelong farmer and entrepreneur, Mr. Mears was self-employed and proudly operated Carrol Mears Farm for many years alongside his family. Farming was more than a career to him, it was a way of life.
Mr. Mears married the love of his life, Miss Dusty Renee Dale, on February 14, 1993. Together, they have raised four children and enjoyed life as their family grew in number as grandchildren arrived. Mr. Mears was lovingly known as “Grumps” or “Grumpy Poo” by his grandchildren.
Mr. Mears was a member of the Remmel Church.
Mr. Mears was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed anything from hunting and fishing to snow and water skiing. He enjoyed all the time and memories made with his family at deer camp and their lake house. He also loved racing dirt track cars with his brother, Travis. Mr. Mears was a pilot for 20 years. He was also an aspiring and self-proclaimed musician. While he didn’t become famous, his love for music never faded, and his family will fondly remember his joy in making music his own. Mr. Mears loved to cook and enjoyed feeding his friends and family.
Mr. Mears was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Dusty (Dale) Mears, of the home; two sons, Kaeton Dee Mears and wife, Kimberly, of Newport, and Cullen Drake Mears and wife, Madison, of Tuckerman; two daughters, Autumn Denee Christopher and husband, Michael of Newport, and Anna Dale Lindley and husband, Jacob, of Jonesboro; one brother, Michael Travis Mears and wife, Melissa, of Jonesboro; two sisters, Lesa Carrol Mears and wife, Rita, of Memphis, and Dana Lynn Shelley and husband, Scott, of Balch; an honorary brother, Lynn Bob Bradley, of Newport; eight grandchildren, Paislee Mears, McKinley Cristopher, Caroline Mears, Hudson Mears, Kaiden Mears, Samuel Lindley, Evelyn Lindley, and Colter Scott Christopher; several nieces and nephews; and a lifetime of friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Jackson’s Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Jacob Lindley officiating. Interment will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Monday evening, December 22, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Kaeton Mears, Cullen Mears, Travis Mears, Michael Christopher, Jacob Lindley, Lynn Bob Bradley, Tim Burzynski, and Matt Hardin. Honorary pallbearers are Mr. Mears’ grandchildren, Paislee Mears, McKinley Christopher, Caroline Mears, Hudson Mears, Kaiden Mears, Samuel Lindley, Evelyn Lindley, and Colter Scott Christopher.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and the Ronald McDonald House.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
