Carl Shearer

With profound sorrow and deep admiration for a life richly lived, we gather in spirit and memory to celebrate Carl Wayne Shearer. Born on July 24, 1961, and departing this world on July 10, 2026, Carl leaves behind a legacy woven into the very fabric of the communities he loved. His journey, marked by a resonant voice and a loving heart, touched generations—echoing across the plains, fields, and families he called his own.

Carl’s story began in Hamlin, Texas, where his early days hinted at the extraordinary path that lay ahead. At the tender age of seven, he would turn his mother’s hairbrush into a microphone, his imagination painting entire stadiums in the confines of his childhood home. This was not just play—it was the first note in a lifelong dedication to sport, spirit, and the art of telling a story.

Graduating from Hamlin High School in 1979, Carl stepped almost immediately behind the microphone, seizing the airwaves in Stamford just one month after he donned his cap and gown. His journey as a broadcaster was destined to be grand, and it began with the boldness and hope of youth—a hope he never relinquished. That first job was more than a stepping stone; it was the fertile soil in which he planted his vocation.

Carl went on to become a fixture and a legend. He served as a sports announcer for KVRP from 1982-2007, KOXE in Brownwood from 2007-2022, than back to his roots at KVPR from 2022-2025 shaping the soundscape of local athletics, becoming the pulse and excitement throughout his region. Ever the pioneer, he founded the Piper Sport Network in 2025, further broadcasting the spirit of the Big Country and Rolling Plains to fans, families, and friends. For countless Friday nights, Carl was the voice slicing through static and anticipation—the heartbeat of Friday Night Light Football.

But it was more than the games or the bright lights. Carl was known for his professionalism and a genuine love for the athletes, coaches, and fans he served. He carried forward a proud broadcasting tradition while infusing his own warmth and integrity into every word. Carl was not merely an observer of life; he was a participant, a weaver of community bonds, and a chronicler of youthful dreams realized on hometown fields. Children would grow up knowing their triumphs were immortalized by “the voice”—a voice that roared with celebration or softened in heartbreak, ever empathetic and true.

Outside the broadcast booth, Carl’s heart found joy not only in Texas Ranger baseball and Dallas Cowboys football but, more importantly, in the company of those he loved. His devotion to family stood above all his many accomplishments. Carl is survived by his loving sons, Michael Shearer (Tara) and Taylor Shearer (Hanna), who carry forward his legacy and strength; his beloved mother, Margaret Shearer; wife, Marissa Shearer; devoted sister, Carol Foster; and steadfast brother, Franklin Shearer (Elaine). Carl’s spirit lives on vibrantly through his cherished grandchildren:  Tucker, Teagan, Tristen, Lilly, Steve, and Maverick Shearer, each of whom brought immeasurable pride and happiness into his days.

Carl is preceded in death by his loving father Frank Shearer.

To witness Carl with his grandchildren was to see a man wholly content, his eyes alight with every retelling of a family story, every shared meal, every laugh echoing louder than any stadium. Nothing pleased him more than being surrounded by their energy, and he rejoiced in every moment spent cheering them on—from first steps to greatest victories.

Carl Wayne Shearer was, in every sense, the voice of his region: a voice that rallied, comforted, and inspired. He was a legend not only behind the microphone but in the hearts of all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life—Carl Wayne Shearer’s Farewell Broadcast—will be held at 1:00 pm, July 25, 2026, at Piper Court Gymnasium, S.W. Ave F, Hamlin, TX 79520, under the direction of Adams-Foster-Ray Funeral Home. Family, friends, and all who felt the warmth of Carl’s heart and the power of his words are welcome to join in honoring a man who gave so much and asked so little.

Though the booth may be silent now, Carl’s voice will forever echo in our memories—undaunted, unforgettable, eternally woven into the story of the Big Country he loved so dearly.