Ronald "Ron" B. Rea, Ph.D., CSW-ACP

Ron was a truly self-actualized and humble person who made a difference in the lives of more folks than we or he could ever know through his tireless work for social service entities throughout Greater Houston and beyond. He had an extraordinary ability to personally connect with everyone he met. His butterfly garden was legendary. His frequent and delightful laughter and prodigious story telling still echo through our minds.

Friends, family, neighbors and colleagues will celebrate Ron’s life on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 2:00 PM at Waltrip Funeral, 1415 Campbell Road, Houston.

Please scroll down to see the photographic images of his life which are found below the notes about his life.

The Professional Stuff:

He attended Harding College for his BA in psychology, Louisiana State University for his master’s degree in psychiatric social work (MSW), and Tulane University for his Ph.D. in Social Work, Social Policy and Administration. It was at Harding College that Ron met his future wife, Loreta Huffard, who was the love of his life.

Ron’s career as a social worker was diverse. While working toward his doctorate at Tulane, he served as the Administrator for the New Orleans Mental Health Center. After being awarded the degree, he moved his family to Houston to serve as the first Executive Director for the Christian Child Help Foundation, whose services included adoption, maternity care, foster care, and group home care. Following this, he served the City of Houston as the Director of the Model Cities Department, administering the city’s first federal revenue sharing program with an annual budget of $25 million. It was during this time that he envisioned and worked with Organized Labor and HISD to initiate and develop the organization that became Gulf Coast Trades Center, an exceptional organization that continues to serve youth in this area.

In 1973, Ron began his own consulting practice, Rea & Associates, Inc., which has provided social work consultation for health and mental health service providers, social agencies, residential facilities, child care facilities, educational programs, colleges, governmental agencies, United Way and member agencies and many others for 48 years – until his full retirement in 2021. Along with many professional associates over the years, he provided services in the areas of program planning and development, program evaluation, grant preparation, recruitment of executive personnel, board of directors training, management and staff development, fundraising, and clinical services. He also sat as a volunteer on the boards and committees of many social service agencies.

Ron was active in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) from 1958 to the end of his life, serving in various officer positions and on committees. In 1981, he was named the Social Worker of the Year, Houston Unit. In 1991, he was awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award by the Houston Unit. At the time he was given the lifetime achievement award, he told his family he was not sure he liked the distinction at that time, emphasizing “I’m not done yet!” As a result of his extensive work on behalf of youth, in 1979, he spoke at the invitation of the United Nations/UNESCO at the Conference on the International Year of the Child, in Vienna, Austria.

Some of the organizations with which he had relationships over the years:

• Gulf Coast Trades Center

• Criss Cole Children’s Fund

• YMCA, Houston, Texas

• YMCA International Program

• Communities in Schools

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center

• Wesley Community Center

• Spaulding for Children

• United Way of Texas Gulf Coast

• Interfaith of The Woodlands

• Neighborhood Centers, Inc.

• Riceland Regional Mental Health Authority

• Sand Dollar, Pasadena Youth Shelter

• Byrd’s Therapeutic Home

• College of the Mainland, Texas City

• Dickinson Independent School District

• Harris County Hospital District

• Hope Center Youth and Family Services

• Children’s Center, Galveston

Faculty Affiliations over the years included:

• Tulane University School of Social Work

• Tulane University School of Medicine

• University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work

• Rice University School of Architecture

• Texas Women’s University, Health Care Administration

• Houston Baptist University, Social Work

The Personal Stuff:

Ron was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma and raised there along with a younger sister he adored, Patti. His parents provided the children with an early understanding of charity and compassion as they welcomed any traveler for a meal during the Great Depression when so many in Oklahoma were destitute. Brother and sister remained close through their lifetimes which came to a close just two months apart.

Ron married his college sweetheart. He and Loreta loved to do just about anything and everything together, but one of their favorite past times was traveling, both domestically and outside the U.S. They both particularly enjoyed the art and culture of the desert Southwest and their home reflected this passion. Their travels included treks to be with family and particularly to spend time with their children and their granddaughter, Allison.

Ron was known to family and friends for his stunning garden which he designed to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and song birds. He planted butterfly host plants and was the first in line at the nursery each spring for fresh milkweed for the Monarchs. He nurtured song birds by putting out seed in the many bird houses he had throughout his yard. So intense was his love for feeding his birds, that he was also known for his absurd attempts to chase squirrels in their attempts to “steal” the bird seed that was so clearly not intended for them. Friends, neighbors, and family loved to find their way over to Ron’s garden in the spring, summer, or fall to sit at the patio table and enjoy the bright flowers, floating butterflies, and stimulating conversation.

His involvement in Democratic grassroots politics brought him much joy, and depending on the outcome of an election, occasional heartache. He served as a Precinct Chair and Election Judge in Harris County for more than 30 years, attending all of the State and Senate District conventions during that time. He served his Senate District in numerous different capacities, as chair or other officer positions, and he served a number of good candidates over the years as campaign treasurer, fundraiser, or donor. He was known in local Democratic circles for his early push to increase diversity of ethnicity, sexual orientation, race, gender, faith, and ability in the Harris County Democratic Party and in his Senate District. He recognized the value of organized labor and sought to partner social advancement with Labor. He was honored by Governor Ann Richards by an appointment to the Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council on which he served for some time.

No summary of Ron’s life would be complete without a note about his friendships. He and Loreta maintained long, close friendships with the members of their Wine Club, current events and book clubs, and neighbors. He had a knack for telling funny-but-true stories and effecting good hearted pranks. All of that will be missed!

Ron leaves behind his wife, Loreta; daughter Pam Rea and her spouse Tim McCloskey; his son Greg Rea and granddaughter, Allison Rea Eliot. He also leaves behind his nephews and their families: James Gamble, his wife Laura and son Jack; and Ferrell Rea Gamble and his daughter Christiana. Ron also leaves many in-laws in the Huffard clan of whom he was so fond, and of course, his many friends, neighbors, colleagues, and political pals.

Although Ron’s garden was always full of bright and fragrant flowers, the family would prefer that anyone so inclined toward a remembrance make instead a donation to any charity that benefits persons in need. If you prefer to know of an organization at the heart of Ron’s work, he had a long history in development of Gulf Coast Trades Center, a program that benefits youth from Houston and Harris County (143 Forest Service Rd 233, New Waverly, TX 77358).