Mr. Ivel Keith Sears, age 78 of Gray, Kentucky departed this life on Friday, October 2, 2026. He was the husband of Patricia (Phipps) Sears and the son of Glen and Ruby (Adams) Sears, born to them on March 15, 1948 in Knox County Ky.
Keith was a member of the Poplar Grove Baptist Church. He was the owner and operator of I.K. Sears Excavating and served his country in the United States Army during the Viet Nam era where he earned the rank of Spec. 5. He loved to work and spend time with his family and adored his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Ruby Sears and five siblings, Jean Manning, Doris Wunch, William Sears, Lowell Sears and Roy Sears.
Left behind to mourn his passing, his wife Patricia Sears of Gray, Ky three children, Glen Casey Sears and Justin Keith Sears both of Gray, Ky Helena Christine Sears of Austin, Texas, seven siblings, Jack Sears, Jerry Sears, John Sears all of Gray, Ky, Wanda Sue Peterson of Rockwood, Tennessee., Bobbie Bolton of Gray Ky, Kay Philpot of Corbin, Ky and Connie Smith of Gray, Ky , three grandchildren, Camden Sears, Ashtyn Sears both of Gray, Ky and Harper Jepson of Austin, Texas.
Funeral services for Mr. Sears will be conducted in the Hampton-Hutton Funeral Home Chapel on Friday October 9, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Jimmy Siler officiating. Entombment will follow in the Sears Family Cemetery in Gray, Kentucky. Pallbearers will be, Billy Parks, Don Sullivan, Jeremy Sears, Jeff Sears, David Garrison, Zac Sears, Jared Jones and Justin Sears. Honorary pallbearers will be Patrick Lowe, Dewayne Smith, Ricky Smith, Roger Hutton and Doyle Golden. Hampton-Hutton Funeral Home will be in charge of all arrangements.
Friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday, from 1:00 until the hour of service at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in his honor.
To the family of Mr. Sears, the staff of the Hampton-Hutton Funeral Home would like to offer you our heartfelt sympathy during your time of bereavement.
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Wounded Warrior Project
