Obituary for Robert Earl Rea
Robert Earl Rea, 92, of Wildorado, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2022.
Services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 25, 2022 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon with Dr. Ron Muller officiating. Graveside services will follow at 11:30 A.M. at the Palo Duro Wildorado Cemetery. Viewing will be at Brooks Chapel on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Robert Earl Rea was a storyteller. He loved to travel from barn to barn or coffee shop to coffee shop to shoot the breeze with anyone willing to listen.
Earl was born to Shrader Coleman Rea and Elva Lovelady Rea on July 1, 1930 in Randall County, Texas. He was the middle of three children and recalled stories of living through the Dust Bowl. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1948 and served in the Army from 1951 to 1953.
While working for Raymond Kimball running cattle in Missouri, Earl met June Ludwig at a café. The two began dating in February of 1954. When he was back in Texas farming, they would keep in touch through letters and phone calls. That April, Earl asked June if she would like to become a farmer’s wife and she said yes. They were married on August 28, 1954 in Bushland, Texas. Earl lovingly referred to her as his sweetheart and often told others that he had the best!
In 1965, Earl began farming in Wildorado on Grusing’s land. After farming there for five years, he started a custom harvesting business. He spent many years harvesting – which took his family to places they would have never gone and helped them make longtime friends with a lot of very nice people. Earl was a hard worker. When he wasn’t working, he was chasing grandkids at sporting events – who called him “Papa” – and, of course, he was telling stories.
Earl was preceded in death by his loving wife June. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Leona Cooksey.
Survivors include his son, Gary Rea and wife, Cindy; daughter, Dawna Foster; grandsons, Chris Rea and wife, Mandy, and Cody Rea and wife, Laura; granddaughter, Cami Maberry; great grandchildren, Layne Rea, Ryan Maberry, Ethan Rea, Jessica Rea, Evann Maberry, June Rea, and Townes Rea; brother, Weldon Rea and wife, Rosalie; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Wildorado School District or to your favorite charity.
Services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 25, 2022 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon with Dr. Ron Muller officiating. Graveside services will follow at 11:30 A.M. at the Palo Duro Wildorado Cemetery. Viewing will be at Brooks Chapel on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Robert Earl Rea was a storyteller. He loved to travel from barn to barn or coffee shop to coffee shop to shoot the breeze with anyone willing to listen.
Earl was born to Shrader Coleman Rea and Elva Lovelady Rea on July 1, 1930 in Randall County, Texas. He was the middle of three children and recalled stories of living through the Dust Bowl. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1948 and served in the Army from 1951 to 1953.
While working for Raymond Kimball running cattle in Missouri, Earl met June Ludwig at a café. The two began dating in February of 1954. When he was back in Texas farming, they would keep in touch through letters and phone calls. That April, Earl asked June if she would like to become a farmer’s wife and she said yes. They were married on August 28, 1954 in Bushland, Texas. Earl lovingly referred to her as his sweetheart and often told others that he had the best!
In 1965, Earl began farming in Wildorado on Grusing’s land. After farming there for five years, he started a custom harvesting business. He spent many years harvesting – which took his family to places they would have never gone and helped them make longtime friends with a lot of very nice people. Earl was a hard worker. When he wasn’t working, he was chasing grandkids at sporting events – who called him “Papa” – and, of course, he was telling stories.
Earl was preceded in death by his loving wife June. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Leona Cooksey.
Survivors include his son, Gary Rea and wife, Cindy; daughter, Dawna Foster; grandsons, Chris Rea and wife, Mandy, and Cody Rea and wife, Laura; granddaughter, Cami Maberry; great grandchildren, Layne Rea, Ryan Maberry, Ethan Rea, Jessica Rea, Evann Maberry, June Rea, and Townes Rea; brother, Weldon Rea and wife, Rosalie; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Wildorado School District or to your favorite charity.