SEARS, Raymond Andrew - Putnam

Raymond Andrew Sears, a teen-age track star in Greencastle who went on to break the world record for the indoor two mile, has died after being hit by a car while walking in College Park, Md. He was 82. Sears died Tuesday while visiting a daughter in College Park. SEARS, WHOSE 1934 record in the two-mile was nine minutes, seven seconds, ran to and from school for exercise while a Greencastle High School athlete, often running behind the school bus as it made its way through Madison Township. In early 1988, Sears estimated he had run 128,000 miles. Almost every year, Sears ran from Shelbyville to Butler University. He also celebrated his 82nd birthday at a road race. He organized races in Shelbyville for many years, including the Bears of the Blue River Classic, and encouraged people of all ages to exercise, often in a column he occasionally wrote for the Shelbyville News. “I don’t know of anyone in the running community who didn’t know Ray Sears,” said Ken Long, a race promoter. “Even though he had been a world-record holder, he was friendly to everyone and devoted a lot of time to beginners and helping them out.” At Butler University, Sears took Amateur Athletic Union and National Collegiate Athletic Association cross-country titles and was an alternate in the 1,500-meter event for the 1932 U.S. Olympic team. While at Greencastle High School, he won the state championship in the mile run three times. Sears coached Butler’s track and cross-county teams for four years, followed by a stint in the Marine Corps in the 1940s.  He later coached sports at Marion HS for 10 years and at high schools in Hartford City and California. Sears was the widower of June Marie Sears. Survivors include two daughters, Sally Tinney and Susan Jane Martin and five grandchildren.  Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday in Carmony-Ewing Broadway Funeral Home, Shelbyville where friends may call 7-9 p.m. Friday. – kbz

Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier Sat April 22, 1989

Shelbyville, Ind – Raymond Andrew Sears, a former track star and fitness advocate died after being hit by a car in College Park, Md. He was 82. Sears, who died Tuesday while visiting a daughter in College Park went from a teenage track star in Greencastle to world-record holder in 1934 for the indoor two-miles (9:07) during his running career. He organized races in Shelbyville for many years, including the Bears of the Blue River Class and encouraged people of all ages to exercise, often in a column he occasionally wrote for the Shelbyville News.  “I don’t know of anyone in the running community who didn’t know Ray Sears,” said Ken Long, a race promoter. “Even though he had been a world-record holder, he was friendly to everyone and devoted a lot of time to beginners  helping them out.

Source: WWII Draft Card

Ray Andrew Sears

Lives: 4670 Hinsley Indianapolis, Marion County

Age: 33

Born March 11, 1907 Putnam County, Indiana

Next of Kin: Mrs. June Marie Sears wife – same address

Business Address: Butler University Athletic Department

5’7” Blue Eyes Blonde Hair light complexion