Clayton Rhea

Clayton ‘Gary’ Rhea, 74, of Columbus, formerly of Bellefontaine passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2016 in the Ross Heart Hospital at the Ohio State University.

Gary was born on April 28, 1941 in Bellefontaine, the son of the late Clayton and Eleanor (Warwick) Rhea. He is also preceded in death by two brothers, Tracy and Phillip Rhea and a step-brother, Phillip Strickland.

He is survived by special friend, Marcia Johnson of Bellefontaine, two sisters Elizabeth Blackman of Chicago, IL and Rebecca ‘Becky’ Collins of Columbus, one brother, Kevin (Debra) Rhea of Portland, OR, former wife, Shirley Rhea of Columbus, two sisters-in-law, Gwen and Nancy Rhea and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

Gary was a 1960 graduate of Bellefontaine High School where he was a standout athlete playing basketball, football, and baseball. After high school, Gary served his country in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Italy where he continued playing sports and sang in different singing groups.

He worked for Ohio Bell Telephone Co. initially as a lineman and worked as foreman and retired from the company working as a facilities manager. In his spare time, he loved spending time with his family and friends, especially the youngsters. He was an avid bowler and golfer and after retirement, he worked at Tree Links Golf Course.

Pastor Settle W. Townsend, Jr. will officiate a memorial service at 12 Noon on Friday, March 18, 2016, the Auburn Avenue Baptist Church, 216 E. Auburn Ave. Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in Bellefontaine.

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