IN LOVING MEMORY OF
James "Jim"
Merrell Rhea
June 17, 1923 – January 20, 2015
Obituary
Services will be held Sunday January 25, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Vici Community Center, Vici, Oklahoma with burial in Sunnyside Cemetery, Vici, Oklahoma.
Visitation:
Saturday ~ 9:00 am to 7:00 pm ~ Shaw Funeral Home of Vici
Sunday ~ 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm ~ At Vici Community Center
James M. Rhea, known as Jim, Uncle Jim, Uncle Merle, Dad and Grandpa passed from this life January 20, 2015, in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was born in Pittsburg, Oklahoma, on June 17th, 1923, to Clyde and Lera (Bridges) Rhea, one of seven children. The family moved from Oklahoma to California where he enlisted in the Navy. He was attached to the 2nd Marine Division as a combat medic. He served his country from 1942 through 1946 when he was honorably discharged. Citations include Victory Medal WWII, Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding performance in combat plus 1 Bronze Star, Medal of Good Conduct, Asiatic Pacific plus 1 Bronze Star, Honorable Service Award, and an Honorable Discharge Award. He graduated from the Sales Administration Management and Marketing Program at Woodbury University in Southern California where he met and married the love of his life, Bernadine Starr. He and Bernie were married in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1947, and enjoyed 67 beautiful years together. He worked primarily in Medical Sales in management positions, and enjoyed golfing with colleagues, shooting and writing.
Jim was greatly admired and respected by his friends and family and everybody loved his sense of humor and quick wit. His wife and 3 children Ken, Jan and Rob, saw him as their hero and were always proud of him. His grandchildren Kevin, Jessica and Jeffrey, loved him and his stories and his many nieces and nephews adored him.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and three sisters.
He is survived by his wife Bernadine of the home; two sons Kenneth James Rhea of California and Robert Alan Rhea of Oklahoma; one daughter Janice Lynn Rhea of Oklahoma; three grandchildren Kevin James Rhea, Jessica Marie Rhea, and Jeffrey Alan Rhea; several nieces and nephews who were very close to him and very special; other family and a host of friends.
In lieu of flowers contributions to the VFW to which Jim was a member would be appropriate if you choose to do so.
Visitation:
Saturday ~ 9:00 am to 7:00 pm ~ Shaw Funeral Home of Vici
Sunday ~ 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm ~ At Vici Community Center
James M. Rhea, known as Jim, Uncle Jim, Uncle Merle, Dad and Grandpa passed from this life January 20, 2015, in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was born in Pittsburg, Oklahoma, on June 17th, 1923, to Clyde and Lera (Bridges) Rhea, one of seven children. The family moved from Oklahoma to California where he enlisted in the Navy. He was attached to the 2nd Marine Division as a combat medic. He served his country from 1942 through 1946 when he was honorably discharged. Citations include Victory Medal WWII, Presidential Unit Citation for outstanding performance in combat plus 1 Bronze Star, Medal of Good Conduct, Asiatic Pacific plus 1 Bronze Star, Honorable Service Award, and an Honorable Discharge Award. He graduated from the Sales Administration Management and Marketing Program at Woodbury University in Southern California where he met and married the love of his life, Bernadine Starr. He and Bernie were married in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1947, and enjoyed 67 beautiful years together. He worked primarily in Medical Sales in management positions, and enjoyed golfing with colleagues, shooting and writing.
Jim was greatly admired and respected by his friends and family and everybody loved his sense of humor and quick wit. His wife and 3 children Ken, Jan and Rob, saw him as their hero and were always proud of him. His grandchildren Kevin, Jessica and Jeffrey, loved him and his stories and his many nieces and nephews adored him.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and three sisters.
He is survived by his wife Bernadine of the home; two sons Kenneth James Rhea of California and Robert Alan Rhea of Oklahoma; one daughter Janice Lynn Rhea of Oklahoma; three grandchildren Kevin James Rhea, Jessica Marie Rhea, and Jeffrey Alan Rhea; several nieces and nephews who were very close to him and very special; other family and a host of friends.
In lieu of flowers contributions to the VFW to which Jim was a member would be appropriate if you choose to do so.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James "Jim" Merrell Rhea, please visit our flower store.
James "Jim" Merrell Rhea's Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors