Eugene Dandridge Lea of Fayetteville, AR passed away on October 26, 2020. He was born in Parnassus, PA on November 24, 1929, to Lucille Dandridge Lea and Virgil Major Lea, and grew up in Paris, AR.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, James and Malcolm Lea; and his loving grandson, Sean Kelley.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sylvia Lea of the home; daughter Becky Kell (Richard) of Granbury, TX; son Keith Lea (Sharon) of Fayetteville, AR; daughter Carole Kelley of Fayetteville, AR; son Brian Lea (Christy) of Arlington, TX; daughter Laura Life of Granbury, TX; and grandchildren Tiffany Scott, Corey Scott (Hailey), Payton Lea, Mackenzie Lea, Madison Wallace (Jonathan), Christian Lea and Jessica Lea; and great-grandchildren Tripler, Dekker, and Mazzy Scott.
Gene graduated from high school in Colton, CA in 1948, and later served in the US Air Force from 1950 to 1954 during the Korean War. Upon returning, Gene enrolled at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, LA, where he met (and married) the love of his life, Sylvia Davis. Upon graduating Tech with a BS degree in Mathematics, Gene and Sylvia moved to Garland, TX, where he worked 15 years as a Quality Control Engineer primarily with Texas Instruments, and additional computer companies in the Dallas area.
He loved the Razorbacks and deeply missed his home state of Arkansas, so the family moved to Rogers, AR in 1974, and then to Fayetteville in 2001. Gene worked first for UPS, and later for Federal Express, where he worked until retirement. He loved his work, and people, and it showed – he never met a stranger. A kind, happy, energetic, hardworking man with a big smile – lovingly known by his delivery customers as “the short guy who whistles and runs all the time”! He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Final resting place will be at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. No services are planned at this time.
A celebration of his “life well lived” will be at a later date.
Grandaddy, I love you so much and miss you tons. I am so happy over the years I have been able to talk to you and see you and spend a lot of my youth at your home during the summers. Those times will never be forgotten. Your stories and knowledge on so many different subjects were always amazing and interesting to hear. Both of my boys want to be in the Air Force, just like you. They know about your time with the Korean War and your work with TI, and I am proud they know some of your life and had the chance to see you this past year. We’ll watch over granny and take care of her. Keep whistling up there 🙂 Love you!!
Corey & Family
Such a sweet message, Corey. He loved you and would love those warm thoughts. Thank you.
Corey,
Thanks for such a heartfelt tribute to your Grandfather. He loved you dearly and was so proud of the man you had become. He often commented about the fun times we had when you visited as a young boy. A couple of those was when we went to Dogpatch with you and your sister, and also the trip to Magic Springs. Those were priceless memories for him.
He would be proud and honored to know what you said about him.
He will be so missed by his family.
Love you, Granny
Corey,
Thanks for such a heartfelt tribute to your Grandfather.
He loved you dearly and was so proud of the man you had become. He often talked about the fun times we had when you would visit us as a young boy. A couple of trips stood out for him, those being when he took you to Dogpatch and later on to Magic Springs.
His little Texas grandson loved it!!
These were priceless memories for him. He would be so proud and honored to know what you wrote about him. He will be so missed by his family.
Love you, Granny ❤️
Gene Lea my father n law is one of the most real people I have ever known. He walked the walk and talked the talk when it came to his beliefs and morals! I learned so much from him. My heart goes out to Silva Becky Carole Keith Brian &Laura. Much love to you all. Your husband and Dad was a blessing to All! What an example for all of us to live and pattern our lives after! If the world was more like him our world would be full of love and compassion! It was my honor and my blessing to have know Gene. Prayers and much love to all!
Rick
Thank you, Rick, for the loving words.
Rick, that was so sweet. Thank you so much for those kind words.
Sylvia
Gene always had a big smile and was so kind and gentle. We enjoyed knowing him at Austin St.
Church of Christ, Garland, Texas. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thanks so much for such kind words, Lois. He was a great husband and father.
He will be missed so much.
Our family has so many fond memories of our church family in Texas at Austin Street.
Sylvia
So sorry to hear that Gene passed away. We worshiped with he and his family at Austin St. in Garland. Such a nice family. Wonderful, faithful Christians.
Thanks, Judy for the kind words. We thought a lot of your family, and are also so sorry for your recent loss, as well. Bill was such a great guy.
Sylvia
Dear Lea family,
I was saddened to hear of the loss of your family patriarch. Gene was one of the kindest men I’ve ever known. He was a godly man who would give the shirt off his back to help someone. I have many fond memories of growing up with Becky and being a part of your family and your Austin Street church family. I pray the precious memories comfort you and God’s peace surrounds you.
With love,
Grace Aston Bradley
Dear Lea family,
I was saddened to hear of the loss of your family patriarch. Gene was one of the kindest men I’ve ever known. He was a godly man who would give the shirt off his back to help someone. I have many fond memories of growing up with Becky and being a part of your family and your Austin Street church family. I pray the precious memories comfort you and God’s peace surrounds you.
With love,
Grace Abston Bradley
Thank you, Grace, for the sweet thoughts.
Sylvia and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Gene’s passing. He and your family have been thought of often over the years you have been gone from Garland. My love to you and the children as you go through this time of loss. The broad smile here in Gene’s picture is a memory I have of him always having anytime I saw him. The sweetest, most kind and gentle man and a true friend throughout the years of our knowing him and your family. God be with you and the children all.