PLATTSBURGH– James F. Sears, Sr., 91, of Brooks Bend Rd., passed away peacefully at his home in his favorite chair on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

He was born in Dannemora on October 29, 1932 the son of Serto and Armene (Frenyea) Sears.

As a young child he lost his mother and his father later married Doris Soper, who raised him and his siblings.

Jim graduated from St. John's Academy in 1950. He earned a BS in Education in 1954 and a MA in Education Administration in 1959.

Jim was hired to teach at Beekmantown Central School in 1954. He also coached BCS's first Baseball and Basketball teams. In 1958 he was appointed Elementary Principal, a position he held until retirement in 1991.

He was inducted into the Plattsburgh State Sports Hall of Fame in 1986 for basketball and also had the honor of having the Beekmantown Elementary Playground named after him in 2007. Jim was named Educator-Administrator of the Class of 2021.

Jim held many public offices in his lifetime, Beekmantown Councilman, Clinton County Legislator, Beekmantown Supervisor and also was in many civic groups, the Lions Club, PSUC Alumni, Beekmantown Volunteer Fire Department, and the Democratic Committee.

Jim was a communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in West Chazy and was very involved in church life.

He thought himself as a Mr. Fix It and actually was quite handy. In retirement Jim enjoyed golf, fishing, yard sales and spending time with family.

Survivors include his children, two sons, James (Kelly) Sears of Marshfield, MA, Michael (Lalania) Sears of Placida, FL; seven daughters, Kim (Dale) Dowdle of Plattsburgh, Susan (Thomas) Ryan of Plattsburgh, Barbara Sherman of Plattsburgh, Mary (Christopher) Montroy of Beaufort SC, Patricia Cullina of Moore, OK, Carrie Plumadore of Clayburg and Elizabeth (Philip) Mussig of Clinton Corners, NY; his brothers, Craig Sears and companion Colleen Petrosky, Carl (June) Sears, Ronnie (Millie) Sears; 17 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, his wife Joan, sons-in-law Colin Plumadore, Michael Cullina; sisters and brother-in-law, Jane Sears and Dianne (John) Goddeau.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 11:00am  at St. Joseph's Church in West Chazy. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Judes, the local food pantry or the Christmas Bureau.

To share a memory or condolence with the family, please visit www.rwwalkerfh.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the R.W. Walker Funeral Home, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh, NY.