John Bear Streat, 64, of Columbus, beloved husband of Leslie Roxie Burgess, took his final bike ride Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011.
Born in Memphis, Tenn., he was the son of the late William Issiac and Lula Mae Sparks Streat. Bear was a graduate of the San Francisco School of Graphic Design and was the owner and artist of Bears Tattoo Den, New Orleans. He was a well-known tattoo artist and was a “guest artist” who was featured in many cities throughout the country. Bear moved to Polk County in 2000, coming from New Orleans. He volunteered with St. Luke’s Hospital and will be missed on Saturday as “Santa.” Bear participated in numerous toy runs locally since moving to the area and will be missed by all his biker brothers.
Surviving in addition to his wife is one brother, Barney Streat (Drew) of Germantown, Tenn., and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 in the McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, with Pastor Mike “Bulldog” Wilson.
The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. at McFarland Funeral Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Foothills Humane Society, 989 Little Mountain Rd., Columbus, N.C. 28722 or Biker Down Lifted Up, 1110 Evergreen Farm Circle, Waynesville, N.C. 28786 or Freedom Biker Church of Asheville, P. O. Box 6040, Asheville, N.C. 28816.
An online guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.
McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon.