Earl Lee Fear, age 89 of North Platte, formerly of Hershey, passed away May 15, 2025 at Great Plains Health.

Earl Lee was born at home south of Sutherland to Joy and Lydia (Culver)Fear on April 16, 1936. Lee attended country school at Plainview school west of the Fear ranch south of Hershey and high school at Sutherland, NE. After school, Lee helped on his dad's farm south of Hershey.

He Joined the Army Reserves in 1958 and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and honorably discharged in 1964. During this time, he met the love of his life, Carolyn.

After the service, he farmed south of Hershey for 30 years. In 1969 Lee was a runner up for Outstanding Farmer Rancher.

On Sept 15, 1962, Lee was united in marriage to Carolyn Applegate at Monticello, Indiana and to this union had three children, Bradlee Earl, Gregg Edward and Darsha Deane.

Lee became a member of the Hershey Methodist Church in 1967 and was baptized the same day as their first son, Bradlee. In 1999 he became a member of the First United Methodist Church of North Platte, NE.

Lee served on Hershey and North Platte Methodist church boards. He was a past scoutmaster of the Hershey Boy Scouts and helped coach T-Ball for his son's ball teams. He was a past member of the Hershey and Sutherland co-op boards. Lee bowled on the Hershey co-op bowling team for several years. He was a volunteer and member of North Platte RSVP, and a member of Hershey American Legion Post #0279.

After leaving the farm, he trucked for Al's Towing in Hershey, NE. After health issues, he worked at various part time jobs in Hershey and North Platte. Of all the jobs he did, he enjoyed farming and took pride in watching the crops grow. Lee was a quiet guy who believed in God and tried to be kind and fair to others. He was a faithful husband, a good father, and a helpful neighbor.

Preceding Lee in death were his parents Joy Edward and Lydia (Culver) Fear and Sister Ruby (Al) Molesworth.

Surviving Lee is his wife, Carolyn of 62 years of North Platte, NE; three children, Bradlee (Jackee) Fear of Sutherland, NE, Gregg (Monica) Fear of Hershey, NE, and Darsha (Erin) Pelland of Omaha, NE; eight grandchildren, Tyrel (Chantell) Fear of North Platte, NE, Brandon (Paige)Fear of Sutherland, NE, Britnee (Josh) Hartwig of Merrill, WI,  Cody (Shaylee) Fear of Hershey, NE,   Courtney (Jordan) Pelland-Sheppard of Omaha, NE, Ethan Pelland of Omaha, NE, Aspen Carpenter (Kelsey) of North Platte, NE and Hayley Fear (Michael) of Sutherland, NE; great-grandchildren, Mathias Hartwig and Raelynn Fear; two siblings, Ruth (Robert) Quimby of Sutherland NE, Buster (Patricia) Fear of North Platte, NE; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Sam) Rowland of Medway, OH; numerous nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

Funeral services are scheduled for May 19, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in North Platte, NE with Reverend Mark Baldwin as officiant.  Burial will take place following at Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with family receiving friends at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.   Carpenter Memorial Chapel of North Platte is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the family to be designated at a later date. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.