Ulysses Lear died on Dec. 13. He was 95.

Ulysses was born to James Joseph Lear and Thelma Cecile Fortune on July 23, 1929, in New Orleans, La. He was the oldest of his siblings, which included sister, Evelyn Mary and brother, James Joseph Jr.

He attended Velnia C. Jones School in New Orleans and moved to Los Angeles, Calif. in 1946, where he attended Dorsey High School in Los Angeles and graduated in 1949.

He went to work with his father as a cement mason, developing a specialty in creating steps. He created the steps for the city hall in Los Angeles.

He married Pearl Myree Fortune in 1950. That union produced two daughters: Pamela Myree in 1951 and Cynthia Ann in 1953. Unfortunately, Cynthia Ann died at the age of four from Renal Cell Carcinoma. Pamela resides in Los Angeles, Calif.

Ulysses and Pearl divorced in 1956. Years later, he married Muriel Andrade in 1968. They resided on Martha’s Vineyard. Muriel died in 2009.

In 2016, Ulysses married Jean McKinney, who died in 2024.

Ulysses was a very talented artist, known for his wood carvings, leather work and scrimshaw.

He was also an amateur photographer and bird enthusiast.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia, his sister, Evelyn, his mother, his father and his wives.

He is survived by his children, Pamela and Charles McKinney(step-son); grandchildren, Renon, Roderick and Rachele; great-grandchildren, Geron, Erinn, Arion, Dorian, Kamern and Ramses; and great great-grandchildren Kailani Webb and Jayce Webb.

Service will be held on Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall, 48 State Road, West Tisbury.