George Rea

George Franklin Rea, 92, Lamar, MO, passed away May 18, 2012, at Truman Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Mr. Rea was born January 7, 1920, in Oronogo, MO, to Joseph Benjamin and Emily Dell Knee Rea. George was one of sixteen children. He was a self-made, self-employed man. George took his 8th grade exam at the kitchen table. After passing the exam, George went back out to work in the field. He made working fun and did not want to be "lazy". He traveled and worked in nearly every state of America, even panning for gold. George never met a stranger, and loved helping people, fixing children's toys for free. He was an excellent welder, and hung from a swing line in the 1940's building dams. He was a long time member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness. Mr. Rea is preceded in death by his wife, Mabel Hess Rea, Oct. 2011, his parents and 14 siblings. George is survived by daughters Connie Johnson and Judy Mazure ; step son Richard Bunch; brother Douglas Rea; sister Virginia Braithwaithe; many grandchildren , great grandchildren, great-great children , nieces and nephews.