Michael R. Spear began his career in the fire service as a teen when he took part in the Fire Explorer Program of Orange County. He started out as a seasonal firefighter with CAL FIRE’s Tuolumne-Calaveras County Unit, and eventually spent the rest of his 21-year career there, rising through the ranks to become a battalion chief. In addition to the fire service, Michael loved his family, who he often enjoyed time in the snow skiing with, and his favorite teams, the Anaheim Angels and the Los Angeles Rams. Michael passed away in August of 2016, shortly after returning from the Soberantes Fire in Monterey County, as a result of job-related heart complications. He is survived by his wife Kimberly, their two children William and Molly, and his parents Robert and Madeleine.