Walter “Yankee” Lear, Jr.

Walter “Yankee” Lear, Jr., age 79, of Middletown, DE, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1946, the nickname “Yank” stuck early and stayed with him for life. He was the son of the late Rachael Lear and grew up with a strong sense of family, hard work, and independence. Yank graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served with pride and carried that same discipline and loyalty with him throughout his life.

After proudly serving his country in the Vietnam war, Yankee turned toward what became his lifelong passion: aviation. He flew numerous jets throughout his career, including the Gulfstream 280 as a corporate pilot. Yank also flew the Boeing 737 and Airbus A300 as a captain during his career at Continental Airlines. Along with flying, he served as a flight instructor and designated FAA examiner for the Hawker jet at Flight Safety. Flying wasn’t just his career; it was something he loved and took great pride in.

When his boys were young, he decided he wanted to start a small business he could run with them. Yankee purchased a box truck and freezer and created J&J Water Ice, making some incredible family memories from those days as well. Later, he decided to try his hand at acting, landing parts in a few commercials and even appearing as an extra in several movies.

Yank was an incredible drummer and a talented musician who played nearly every day of his life. Over the years, he performed in several bands. He even sat in as the drummer with the band at a family wedding for a surprise set, complete with a drum solo.

Yank was also a gifted athlete and competitor. He excelled in many sports growing up, including football and swimming. Yankee was also the Darby Swim Club diving champion. In his free time, he enjoyed riding his Harley, being around friends, and spending time with his two boys and his four grandkids.

Above all else, Yankee took tremendous pride in being a husband, father, and grandfather.  He was fiercely loyal to his family and his friends. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for the people he loved. Yank lived his life on his own terms, accomplished everything he had set out to do in life, and departed this world with no regrets. Just a lifetime of love, laughter, family, and friends.

Yankee is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Gerri Lear; children, Jeff Lear and Joe Lear (Heather); grandchildren, Joey, Hayden, Collin, and Reagan; and siblings, his Darby Break brothers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:30 am on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at St. Joseph Parish, 319 East Main Street, Middletown, DE. Inurnment will be held privately in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Yankee’s memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or online by clicking here; or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 500 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking here.