Earl Rea, Sr.

Earl Lowell Rea, Sr., 85, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 5, 2014 at his home in Oxford, Colorado. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory and per Earl’s request, no services are planned. Earl was born June 16, 1928 in Durango, Colorado to Ralph and Marjorie (Rex) Rea. Earl grew up in the Oxford area where he worked on worked on ranches and herded sheep. When he was 17 years old, he enlisted into the Navy. He was stationed in Japan and spent time on the USS NOA, USS Goodrich, USS Anderson and the USS Kersarge. He was honorably discharged in 1948. Earl returned home to the family ranch in Oxford. He worked as a carpenter, ranch hand, railroad and held other various jobs. He married the love of his life in 1953 and they started their family. He started working at El Paso Natural Gas (which later became Northwest Pipeline), where he worked for approximately 30 years. After his retirement in 1981, Earl continued to spend his time raising horses, riding and gathering cattle, hunting, fishing anything outdoors, playing at the casino and telling stories like only Earl could do. Most of all, he enjoyed spending as much time as he could with his family. Earl and Patty celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past August. He is survived by Patricia "Patty" Rea (spouse) of Oxford, CO, Laura (Steve) Pargin (daughter and son-in-law) of Ignacio, CO, Bud Rea (son) of Ignacio, CO, Kristi (Randy) VanDenBerg (daughter and son-in-law) of Durango, CO, Shelly (Todd) McCoy (daughter and son-in-law) of Ignacio, CO, Grandchildren: Mathew, Jacob, Erin, Lex, Jennifer, Amy, Kristi, Troy, 13 Great Grandchildren, Shirley Sutherlin (sister) of Ignacio, CO, Georgie Dittmar (sister) of Durango, CO, Rex Rea (brother) of Arvada, CO, Sandra Walker (sister) of Naturita, CO, Peggy Leyshon (sister) of Ignacio, CO, Chester Warner (brother) of Perry, UT, Mary Goeglein (sister) of Farmington, NM, Linda Searcy (sister) of Durango, CO, numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Janet Johnson in 2005, and his siblings: Margaret Weddle, Ronald Rea, Donald Rea, Ralph Rea, Jr., Ruth Goulding, Nancy Ragland, George Greer and Monie Howard. Not All Heroes Wear Capes, Ours Wore a Cowboy Hat. Memorial contributions may be made to Spring Creek Community Association, P.O. Box 1308, Bayfield, CO 81122 or Hope Community Academy (HCCA), P.O. Box 775, Bayfield, CO 81122.