Clarence Michael "Mike" O'Rear Sr.

Clarence Michael “ Mike” O’Rear, Sr., a United States Army Veteran, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2022. Mike is survived by his wife of 60 years Dianne, of Jasper, GA; son Mike O’Rear, of Jasper, GA; daughter Sharon Farist, of Chattanooga, TN; brother Dennis O’Rear, of Chattanooga, TN; sister Debbie Holder and her husband Gary, of Whitwell, TN; grandchildren Dylan Farist, of Jasper, GA; Matthew Farist, of Chattanooga, TN; Danielle Farist, of Tuscaloosa, AL. Mike and Dianne moved to Memphis in 1969, after he received his Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering, where he first started his career as a professor of Electrical Engineering at State Technical Institute at Memphis. While teaching, Mike also attended college part time and achieved his B.S. in Electronic Engineering Technology in 1973 and his M.S. Electronic Engineering Technology in 1975, Mike did his Master Thesis on Biomedical Engineering Technology. Mike left the teaching field in 1974 to work for Sharp Manufacturing Company of America, as the manager of the Microwave Oven Engineering plant. In 1984, Mike left Sharp and began working for Sanyo Manufacturing Corporation as the Department Manager of the Color Television Engineering Department. Then, in 1986 Mike moved his family to Marietta, Ga., where he started at Chattahoochee technical College as the Lead Instructor of Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology and Biomedical Engineering Technology.  In January 2012 he became the Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering Technology. Mike decided to go back to college and he attended Georgia State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Human Resource Development(training) in 1995, after that he became known as Dr. Mike. He was not just a professor to his students, Dr. Mike truly loved each and every one of his students. He was always there for them and willing to help them with anything they needed, even if it was for help with assignments from different professors or if they had already graduated and were working and just needed some assistance with anything. The family would like to let all of Mike’s previous students know that he truly loved and cared for them. Mike was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the Atlanta Area of Biomedical Association, Georgia Biomedical Instrumentation Association. During Mike’s free time he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. They would watch college football, go to the gun range, play games, and tell jokes. Mike was in The U.S. Army where he served for 6 years.  He joined the George State Defense Force, was an active member of the DAV. ‘The family would like to let everyone know that they were proud to share him with you!’

Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 20th, 2022 from 11AM to 3PM with a service promptly following in the chapel of In Their Honor of Jasper Funerals and Cremations: 481 Noah Drive, Jasper, GA 30143. 706-253-5060

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