Thomas "Tommy" Sears

Thomas “Tommy” Sears, 76, of Versailles, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026. A man of deep and unwavering faith, he faced life with unrelenting joy and a strong work ethic that defined his character. Born in Williamsburg, Kentucky, to Thomas Frank and Bessie Marinda Sears, Tommy served his country bravely as a Supply Sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. That early resilience shaped a life in which joy consistently prevailed, even through hardship.

Tommy’s greatest passion was sharing the love of Jesus with others. For twenty years he led a jail ministry, first in Texas and for the last nine years at the Woodford County Detention Center, where he touched countless lives. A devoted member of Wesley Covenant Fellowship, he was often the first to greet visitors with his warm, welcoming smile. An entrepreneur at heart, he spent many years as a car salesman, owned Tommy’s Emporium in Texas, and later provided transportation services to the Amish community in Kentucky. He was an avid collector of Pokémon and sports cards, loved fishing, cheering on UK basketball, playing cards, and challenging much younger opponents to basketball games with his son TW.

It was later in life that Tommy met the love of his life, Marilyn. They shared a joyful nine years together, eight of them as husband and wife, building a close circle of friends, playing euchre, and traveling—often on one of Tommy’s famously discounted deals. Known as “Poppi” to his grandchildren, he delighted in sharing his hobbies and adventures with his children and grandchildren, always ready with a story and a smile that radiated love.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Wanda Sears. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn Sears; his children, TW (Jacqueline) Sears, Kyle Sears, Kale Sears, and Kary Sears; his stepchildren, Elizabeth (David) Chatterton, Stephanie (Nathan) Cooper, Thomas William (Shannon) Chapman, and Sundee (Terry) Holiday; his grandchildren, Emerson and Elliot Sears, Bryanna (Daniel) Gordin, Christopher Sanders, Weston and Stephen Chatterton, Dylan Hartley, Addison and Alivia Cooper, Theodore Chapman, and Morgan Holiday; his sister, Joyce (Sears) Linnie; and his niece, Roxanna (John) Johnson. His legacy of faith, resilience, and boundless love will be deeply cherished by all who knew him.