Gerald E. Rea, Jr., 79, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Thursday morning, Feb. 21, 2013 at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana in Columbus. He was a resident of Deputy and former longtime resident of Nashville.

Gerald was born in Jefferson County on Nov. 23, 1933, to Gerald E. Sr. and Martha (Monroe) Rea, who preceded him in death.

After attending school, he went on to serve as a private with the United States Army during the Korean War.

Gerald married Vicy P. (Coffey) Rea on Dec. 26, 1953 in Jellico, Tenn. Vicy preceded him in death on April 22, 2010, after 56 devoted years.

Gerald retired in 1991 after 33 years of service as owner and operator of Rea’s Oil Company in Nashville. During that time, he was a school bus driver for Brown County Schools and also delivered water and heating oil to residents of Brown County.

He was a member of Lick Branch Baptist Church in Deputy and wintered with his wife in Thonotosassa, Fla. Gerald enjoyed traveling out west and seeing historical places that he had read about in books. He also enjoyed gardening, beekeeping and visiting with his family and friends. Gerald was a man of strong convictions with strong family values. He will be missed by all who knew him and loved him.

He is survived by his three children, Brenda (Jay) Longtin and Beverly (Rick) Vasquez, both of Brown County, and Dale (Stacey) Rea of Angier, NC. Gerald will be remembered by his siblings, Diane Collins of Madison, Ronald Rea of North Vernon, Tommy Rea of Madison and Allen Rea of Columbus; seven grandchildren, Buck and Leigh Ann Melton, Manuel Vasquez, Nina Lucas, Jessica Williamson, Greg and Crystal Rea; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Rea.

The Rev. Jim Ranard will conduct a funeral service at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 23 at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center, 179 E. Mulberry Street in Morgantown.  Friends can call from 4- 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Bellsville Cemetery in Brown County with military rites presented by the Brown County Honor Guard. A meal will immediately follow the burial at Harmony Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

Memorial contributions can be sent in honor of Gerald to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 E. 17th St. Columbus, IN 47201.

Condolences can be sent to the Rea family at www.meredith-clark.com.