5/9/2022
Pro Pulling League
Super Stock Puller Russ Mears Passes
Charlestown, IN (May 9th, 2022) – Today we share the sad news of the passing of Russ Mears, former Super Stock tractor puller and father of PPL Series Co-Director Johnathan Mears. Russ passed away peacefully Saturday, May 7th at home surrounded by his family.
Russ’ motorsports interests began in drag racing but spread to tractor pulling, where he fielded a trio of IH and CaseIH tractors over the years – Trailer Farmer, Just Maybe, and Just in Fun. In competition he was a winner of the Indy Super Pull in 1992 and the Super Stock Points Champion of the OSTPA in 1988. He also served as a divisional committee member for the Super Stock class in the NTPA and Super Stock class spokesperson in the OSTPA. Russ was known for his colorful hats and red boots in his years of pulling competition.
Outside of the pulling world he had a multitude of interests; he was a millwright and operated Mears Welding and Manufacturing and Valley Trailers, building a prominent steel livestock trailer business, to fund his habits. He continued building trailers for 12 years before retiring. He then became an early pioneer in certified organic farming and grain processing, while also full-time tractor pulling. He also enjoyed traveling across the United States by truck and adventuring around the globe with his wife of 46 years, Brenda.
A celebration of life for Russ will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at the Rainsboro United Methodist Church at 7579 State Route 753, Rainsboro, Ohio. There will be a brief winner’s circle celebration from 4:00pm to 4:20pm followed by fellowship and food with friends and family until 8:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rainsboro Food Pantry or your local food pantry.
Our condolences go out to Johnathan and the entire Mears family in their time of loss.
Submitted By: Bryan Lively
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