Jonathan Patrick Dearing

Jonathan P. Dearing peacefully slipped into the arms of Jesus on May 7, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born September 1, 1965, in Bangor, the beloved son of David and Doris (Rand) Dearing.

Jonathan graduated from Stearns High School, Millinocket, Maine in 1984 as salutatorian of his class. He majored in math at Providence College graduating in 1988, Summa Cum Laude. Jonathan went on to become a math teacher at Bangor High School where he taught for about 27 years. He shared his love of chess with students at the high school where he served as the chess coach. Jonathan loved the competition of chess and helped with organizing and running many chess tournaments for students and adults in Maine.

Jonathan married his wife, Laurel, in 2014. They recently celebrated 12 years of marriage. Jonathan was a wonderful man of Christ who loved God, loved people, and was a blessing to so many. He was a longstanding member of Glad Tidings Church in Bangor where he served as treasurer on the board of elders. Jonathan could lift your spirits even on the hardest of days and is especially remembered by his friends and loved ones for his great sense of humor and playfulness. He very much enjoyed the sport of golf especially when he was playing with his brother, Joel, or with friends. He was an avid movie buff and had an uncanny memory for all plots, characters, and actors in any movie he had ever seen. Jonathan's favorite pastime was spending time with family, with whom he loved to tell stories, laugh, play favorite games, or just hang out. He especially enjoyed yearly family vacations at Pine Point.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Laurel Anderson and mother Doris are a son Patrick; daughters Allison and her partner Ryan, and Serena (Vera) Anderson all of Bangor; daughter Emmalisa of Levant; one sister Joy Drew and her husband Thomas of Scarborough; one brother Joel and his wife Diane of Naples, Florida; sister-in-law Kathy Dearing of Lisbon Falls; nieces and nephews, Justin, Erin, Kevin, Ryan, Danny and Lily and their families; and cousins and their families, including a special cousin, Sharon Dearing Faris and her three daughters, Sarah, Susan, and Deborah. He was predeceased by his father David, his brother Daniel, and a niece Ashley Drew.

Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects on Thursday, May 14 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. directly preceding the funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at Glad Tidings Church at 1033 Broadway, Bangor. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Jonathan in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Jonathan Dearing Scholarship Fund (to be awarded yearly to a deserving math student). Online, go to https://www.bangorschools.net/page/alimni. Under the box "I want to support," choose "Jonathan Dearing Scholarship Fund," or checks may be made payable to "Bangor School Department" with "Jonathan Dearing Scholarship" in the memo line, and mailed to Bangor School Department, 73 Harlow Street, Bangor ME, 04401.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.