Donald O Rhea

Donald Odell Rhea, 80, of Federal Way WA was born November 23, 1931 and passed away in his home on July 30, 2012. He was born in Loyal Valley Texas near Fredricksburg, to Robert and Lena Rhea, as one of eleven children. He was a navy veteran stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Base in Washington, when he met his wife M. Ann Armstrong. They were married in 1954 and had one son, Robert and two stepchildren: Doug Bristow and Robin Nelson. He worked at Boeing as a mechanic, lead man, and supervisor for 38 years and retired in 1991. His wife Ann passed in 1995, and he remarried in 1999 to Virginia Beck. Don’s life was marked by selfless dedication to family and friends throughout his life, as any would attest. His love of fishing during the years while raising Rob was one of his best loved pastimes, which he shared with Ann until she was not able to join him any longer. Don is probably best remembered in his vegetable gardens year after year, tending crops of many varieties, but with special attention to his prized tomatoes, which he generously gave hundreds away to everyone. This love of gardening was a shared passion with his second wife Virginia. Traveling to many destinations and playing golf with Virginia, rounded out their final years together. Dons lasting legacy is that of honesty, generosity, integrity, hard work, and commitment to all that had the pleasure to know him, and remember him by. Don is survived by his wife, three sisters, one son, two stepchildren, eleven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.