Dr. John Edmund Wear, who established a record of progress and preservation as a Rowan County commissioner and mayor of Salisbury, died Sunday at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

He was 79.

Wear established his own record of accomplishments when he held office, and he passed on that sense of public service to his children.

His daughter, Susan Kluttz, is now serving her second term as mayor of Salisbury.

Dr. John Wear Jr., one of three sons, is a professor at Catawba College who has worked to establish Salisbury’s Greenway, the ecological preserve at Catawba College and a community board that encourages responsible growth for the county.

Born in Haleyville, Ala., Wear graduated from the University of Alabama and Northwestern University Medical School. A radiologist, Wear came to Salisbury in 1952 to practice with Dr. Thomas Thurston.

He was a diplomate of the American Board of Radiology and past president of the N.C. Radiological Society, the Rowan-Davie Medical Society and the Rowan Regional Medical Society staff.

Wear was involved with many civic groups and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

His first involvement in local government came in the ’60s when he served on the County Parks and Recreation Commission.

He later chaired that group.

He served on the Rowan County Board of Commissioners from 1976 to 1980, including one year in which he served as chairman.

Wear turned to Salisbury City Council, leading the ticket and earning himself the mayor’s job in 1985.

He served as mayor for six years and as a member of the council for two more, retiring in 1993.

In 1993, a Salisbury Post editorial said Wear was known for his direct, to-the-point style.

During his tenure, the council saw voters overwhelmingly approve two utility bond projects.

The Plaza was renovated, and the city survived an acrimonious debate over downtown cruising.

The council also approved a long-range annexation plan, industrial parks and an affirmative action hiring plan.