August 13, 1972 – April 25, 2019
Beloved husband of Michelle “Shelly” Bear (nee McDonough); loving son of Jim and Marty Bear; adoring father of Mackenzie and Nathan Bear; dearest brother of Bryan (Chris) Bear; son-in-law of Robbie and the late Mike McDonough; brother-in-law of Becky (Eric) Woodson, Michael McDonough and Cherie (Blake) Piel; loving uncle of Morgan and Paige Bear; Lilly, James and Hunter Woodson; Delaney McDonough; Carrie (Kent) Saunders, Blake (Sarah) Piel, Andrea (Brad) Hampton, and Lindsey (Dylan Nagle) Piel. Dear nephew, cousin, great uncle and friend to many.
Greg was a 1990 graduate of Affton High School, where he played basketball and ran cross country. After high school, he was a lifeguard and swim instructor at the South County YMCA. He discovered a passion for playing guitar at an early age and enjoyed playing in bands with his close friends his whole life. He also learned his talent with mechanics and pursued a long career as a diesel mechanic. Greg’s easy-going personality and joke telling ability allowed him to make friends everywhere he went.
Boating was one of Greg’s passions and his family enjoyed many trips to Table Rock Lake, Kinkaid Lake and Lake of the Ozarks throughout his life. He and his brother enjoyed many hours slalom skiing together behind the boat. As the captain of his own boat, Greg would never miss an opportunity to pull kids (and adults) on the tube. In recent years, Greg’s family was fortunate enough to enjoy several long summers at the lake.
Greg met his wife Shelly in 1996, married in 2000 and had his two beautiful children in 2001 and 2003. His kids were the light of his life. Greg loved watching them flourish in sports and academics. He never missed a game where his daughter was cheering, and he loved to work with his son on mechanical and hands-on projects like building Pinewood Derby cars. Greg had a love for his dogs too. His first dog Sarah, whom he had missed, and his second dog Princess, who will miss him dearly. First and foremost, he was always a proud and loving father of his two children and spent as much time as he could with them.
Greg showed amazing strength and courage during his final years. He always prioritized his family, enjoyed making memories for his kids and never complained. He was an inspiration to many.
SERVICES: Visitation at Kutis Funeral Home, Affton, 10151 Gravois Rd., Sunday, April 28, 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Further visitation at Manchester United Methodist Church, 129 Woods Mill Rd. on Monday, April 29, 11:00 a.m. until funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Interment at 1:45 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Park, 10180 Gravois Rd.
In Greg’s memory, donations may be made to the Greg Bear Memorial Education Fund (for their children), % Central Bank at 12224 Tesson Ferry Rd., St. Louis, MO 63128 or to the charity that is dear to your heart.