George Wendell Rhea

George “Sonny” Rhea went to meet his Lord and Savior on Tuesday evening, February 16, 2016. He was born June 25, 1935, in Streetman, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents George Lafayette Rhea and Ruby Lavada Josey and his sister, Sharron Lee McRay. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Peggy Ingram Rhea, two daughters, Sherri Bradford and her husband Kenny, Terri Sykes and partner Lita Giddings, 4 grandchildren, Holly, Wendy, Shane and Valerie, and 5 great-grandchildren, Jordan, Julian, Ellis, Charlie and Emmett, sister, Francis Steele,brother-in-law, Doug McRay and nieces and nephews. From 1952-1956, Sonny served in the United States Navy.He was a communications operator during the Korean War where he was stationed in Hawaii. He was a proud veteran and considered it a privilege to serve his country. After returning to his home in Waco, Texas, he married the love of his life, Peggy Ruth Ingram.They went on to have two precious daughters, Sherri and Terri.Sonny adored his girls and worked hard to provide for his family. In 1964, Sonny moved his family to Mesquite, Texas where he began his career in the printing business at Dahlgren Manufacturing Company.After 31 years in the industry, he retired from a career he loved.He could win friends and influence people making him a very successful salesman in the industry; he was a born leader!He made lifelong relationships and mentored many others in the industry along the way. In 1972, Sonny made the most important decision he would ever make, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, and his life, and the lives of his family, would be forever changed.He surrendered to the ministry in 1973 and attended Criswell Bible College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.What a joy it was for Sonny to serve the Lord; he loved his Jesus! He was a faithful servant and loved his church!Some of his ministries included working in the youth department, teaching Sunday School, working in Vacation Bible School, and serving as a Deacon at First Baptist Church of Tool. Sonny loved life!He loved fishing, hunting, playing golf, NASCAR, coin collecting, working in his yard, and cooking the best BBQ in Texas!He loved his wife, Peggy, and was so proud to be her husband!He loved listening to her play the piano and was her biggest fan.He loved his family deeply and made sure they knew how much!He loved his friends and nurtured his relationships.Sonny was an affectionate man and always generous with hugs and kisses! Sonny was a man with a larger than life personality and could light up a room the moment he entered it!He truly loved people and never met a stranger.He was a man of strong conviction with a passion for life that was extraordinary!He had a wonderful sense of humor and could brighten someone’s darkest day. He was a generous man who was always ready to meet the needs of others.He was a special man of God who touched many lives in his 80 years on this earth.He leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love and will be greatly missed by everyone who was blessed to know him! The family will receive friends in the Chapel at New Hope Funeral Home on Tuesday evening, February 23, from 5:00-7:00 PM.A celebration of his life will take place Wednesday, February 24, at 10:00 AM at Calvary Baptist Church, 1609 Rand Road, Kaufman, Texas.A burial at the National Cemetery will take place at 2:00 PM.In honor of Sonny Rhea, donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church or the American Cancer Society.