Larry Dean Rea

July 29,1939 – January 21,2020

Larry Dean Rea, born and raised in Rainier, Oregon, passed away unexpectedly in his Gresham

home on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. He was preceded in death by parents Ed and Myrtle

(Zimmerman) Rea and wife Margo Ann (Hudkins) Rea. He is survived by sons, Chris and Tim, ,

grandson Cole, granddaughter Ashley and great granddaughter Chloe.

Larry attend Oregon State University and later graduated with a master’s in science

education from Portland State University. At Oregon State, he enrolled in ROTC and trained to

become a pilot in the US Air Force. He flew for NW Airlines before joining the Oregon Air

National Guard to fly the F101, F102 and F4. He also crewed on Portland’s C131 and became

their flight instructor, flight evaluator and Chief of Safety Officer.

Larry was a reader, a writer, a photographer, a naturalist and a historian with a strong

interest in genealogy. He was Master of the Oregon State Grange, served as chairman of the

board of the Malheur Field Station, and was involved with the Oregon State Master Naturalist

program. He never lost his love of the woods and at the time of his death he and his son Chris

were restoring matching Rubicon Jeeps and taking them on camping trips. You can find his

stories and photos on his website www.taxaflora.com.

Larry was generous with his time and his knowledge and will be missed by family and

friends alike.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 11:30 am, on Saturday,

February 22, 2020, at the Methodist Church in Rainier, Oregon. A light lunch will be served

following the service.