Oscar Clinton "Clint" Bear, age 74, of Madison, Indiana, and the son of Oscar Charles "OB" and Norma Louise (Pulliam) Bear, was born December 22, 1949, in Madison, Indiana. He was the grandson of Oscar C. and Mary A Bear and Herman and Zoe Pulliam.

He was united in matrimony to the former Nancy Perry on June 17, 1972 at the First Christian Church in Madison. This union, of fifty two years, was blessed with two daughters, Christi and Sarah.

Clint graduated in 1967 from Madison Consolidated High School and in 1972, from Purdue University, with a degree in Landscape Architecture. He owned and operated Bear's Landscaping and also built many houses, including two for his family. He was a Rural Mail Carrier for many years. Clint also worked for DNV Healthcare as a Physical Environment Surveyor traveling to a number of hospitals across the country. He began building guitars and started OC Bear Guitars 22 years ago. He was in the process of building his 145th guitar before his passing. He had built beautiful guitars for musicians around the country and in Europe. He donated many guitars for local festivals and even for the Maui Fire Disaster Relief Fund, raising over $13,000. He was a co-founder of Indiana Fingerstyle Competition and awarded an O.C. Bear guitar to the winner for several years. In 2016, he received an Indiana Artisan Designation from the Indiana Arts Commission. He was honored last year by the Madison Area Arts Alliance with the 2023 Artist of the Year.

He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church where he served as Junior and Senior Warden. He also was a member of the Elks Lodge and EBOR. He had been a member of Habitat for Humanity in years past and enjoyed contributing his building/construction skills to build the houses. When he wasn't working on guitar building, he loved to cook and could make a fantastic gourmet sandwich that was enjoyed by any that were fortunate enough to be around for the plating. He also loved trips to the beach where he fished and basked in the sun. When it was time to relax, he would grab his current book to enjoy. He was a voracious reader!

Clint Bear passed away November 26, 2024 at his residence in Madison, surrounded by his loving family. O.C. Bear Custom Guitars

The Wakefield

The Wakefield is my version of the Gibson J-45 from the mid 1940's. It has a slightly smaller body size which makes a more comfortable and lighter guitar. The short scale length and slim neck profile make for exceptionally easy playability. All these elements in combination with the hand tuned top, add up to a guitar that is responsive to flatpicking, strumming, fingerstyle, and almost all style of playing.