Staff Sergeant Barton Ira Gear passed away on October 10, 2026. Bart was born Barton Ira Levine on December 22, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York to Elaine Belfer and Irving Levine. Bart was later adopted by his beloved stepfather, John Gear, a Veteran of the United States Army who fought at the Battle of the Bulge during World War II who inspired Bart to join the armed forces. Bart was a rambunctious young man and at the advice of his stepfather, to help give him focus and direction, Bart joined the United States Navy on March 8, 1965. Bart served on the submarine tender USS Simon Lake, which supported Submarine Squadron 14 in Holy Loch Scotland. He then served in the US Naval Reserve and at the further encouragement of his step-father, who was an Army man, enlisted in the United States Army and was deployed to Vietnam. Bart was subsequently stationed in Hanau, Germany, where his daughter Pam was born in Frankfurt, and then later stationed at Fort Sam in San Antonio, Texas, where he then enlisted in the United States Air National Guard from August 1976 through his honorable discharged from military service in 1977.

After his military service, Bart settled in Bryan, Texas, and completed police academy training at Texas A&M University and served as a peace officer at Texas A&M University, where he was recognized as a distinguished trooper.

After leaving the police force, Bart enjoyed a second career at Texas A&M University at the TAMU Physical Plant, achieving the rank of Master Gardener, and earning the President’s Meritorious Service Award for his exemplary work for Texas A&M University. Bart met and married Doris Hunter-Gear, and became a stepfather to Andrew and Ginger Hunter. After retiring from Texas A&M University, Bart enjoyed travelling with his family and spending time with his grandchildren and taking care of his many dogs, cats and any creature that came to him and was hungry. Bart was a fan of science fiction, including Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica, and he loved Disney World, and discovering new flowers and plants for his garden.

Bart is survived by his step-son Andrew Hunter and wife Elizabeth Hunter of College Station, daughter Pamela Oxendine and husband Scott Oxendine of Coppell, step-daughter Ginger Shuffer and husband Steve Shuffer of Pflugerville, and his grandchildren Chloe, Claire, Ember, Orion, Mason, and Arden. Bart is preceded in death by his first wife Nita Gear and his second wife Doris Hunter-Gear.