Alton Vineyard Lear, 74 of White Plains passed away Friday, March 28, 2025, at Baptist Health Deaconess. Born August 18, 1950, to the late Frank and Maggie (Smith) Lear. He was a long standing member of White Plains Missionary Baptist Church. His work career started with a steel mill and Ford Motor Company up north before coming back to White Plains. Alton worked as a coal miner for Peabody Coal and was a member of UMWA District 23. He was a Mason at Orphan’s Friend Lodge in White Plains; he was a shriner at Rizpah Temple and a Kentucky Colonel. Alton had a love for basketball, he is honored in the South Hopkins High School Hall of Fame for his basketball career and he was a big UK Wildcats fan. He also had an affinity for classic cars restoration and he owned a small collection. More than anything he was proud of his family and loved spending time with them.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Louise Lear; brothers, William “Billy” Lear, Kenneth Lear, Jimmy Lear and Walter “Gene” Lear; and his very good friend that was as close as a brother, Steve Vandiver.
Survived by his wife of 41 years, Anita Scott Lear; sons, Mike (Dee) Dickerson of Earlington and Stephen (Mary) Lear of Orange Beach, AL; 2 grandsons, Jack (Desiree) Dickerson and Caleb Dickerson; 3 great-grandchildren, Gavin Pendley, Emery Dickerson and Elijah Dickerson; and brothers, Dannie Lear and Jerry (Faye) Lear.
Masonic Rites service will begin at 1:30pm with funeral service following.
Service will be held Tuesday at 2:00pm at Bandy Funeral Home in Nortonville with Bro. J.D. Holt officiating. Burial to follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in White Plains. Visitation will begin at 11:30am until service time at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Todd Harris, Troy Blakely, David Fox, Jack Dickerson, Caleb Dickerson and Scotty Rager. Honorary Pallbearers are Jamie Lear, Steve Mallory and Stephen Lear.
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