David J Mears

David J. Mears went home to the Lord on Sunday June 29, 2014. He was a Broward County native, graduating from South Broward HS in 1954. After graduation, he became a professional dancer with Arthur Murray, where he met his wife, Phyllis. During the family’s early years, they lived in the Washington, DC area where Mears was involved with the beginning of Levittown, PA and Reston, VA, along with the development of Holiday Inns in the region. The family was also early pioneers of Coral Springs, moving to the City in 1970. He was instrumental in the development of western Broward during the 1970’s and 80’s. As owner of Atlantic Plumbing Co., he employed hundreds during the early years of Coral Springs, Margate and Tamarac. His company was one of the top non-union shops in the country. During the 1980’s, he turned to commercial real estate development, developing Mears Commercial Park in Margate along with other properties and shopping centers. Mears Parkway in Margate is named after him. He built the first self-storage facility in the state of Florida. His love of horses inspired him to develop Mears Farm in Ocala and Starting Gate Training Center for Thoroughbred race horses. He served two terms as President of Associated Builders and Contractors; two terms as President of the local chapter of National Association of Industrial and Office Parks; two terms as President of the NW Focal Point Senior Center; twice as the Chairman of the Industrial Board for the City of Margate; Honorary Mayor of Margate; Senior Hall of Fame (1997); Honorary member City of Hope; honored by the State of Florida for starting the Random Acts of Kindness program in Florida. He was instrumental in raising a large part of the funds for the bronze statue in Firefighter’s Park in Margate. He loved children and showered Kids in Distress with everything from socks to bicycles for everyone one Christmas. He especially loved to help random people who were in desperate need or lacked the funds to reach a goal, all without fanfare. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Phyllis; children, Denita (Terry) Neuenhaus, David (Sharon) Mears, Danette (Chuck) Thompson; grandchildren, Kirsten (Mark) Kudrna, Greg (Heather) Thompson, David Mears IV, Daniel Thompson, Lauren Neuenhaus, Megan Mears; one soon-to-be great-grandchild “A.J.” Kudrna; sister, Pearl Kautz; brother, Norman Welch and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Church by the Glades (Sample Rd. campus), 3301 Riverside Drive, Coral Springs on Thursday July 10 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to The Salvation Army or the V Foundation.

David J Mears

June 4, 1936 - June 29, 2014