Richard Rea 1955-2010

On Wednesday February 3, 2010, my Father, Richard L. Rea passed away suddenly at the age of 55. He was a wonderful husband to my mother for over 32 years and a great Dad to me and to my younger brother Nathan.

As I am sitting down writing this written tribute to my dad, I find that the words aren't quite coming to me as easily I had hoped. There is just so many wonderful things that I can say about the man who has shaped me to being the type of father that I am to my own son. I am still hoping that I can become just half the man that he was.

My Dad came into my Mother's life and mine when I was 2 years old and once they were married my Dad adopted me so I could carry his last name. A few short years later Nathan, my younger brother, was born. My Dad shown me what it was like to show someone the "unconditional" love. He didn't have to adopt me when he married my mother, but according to him, "there is no such thing as step child in my family." In fact everyone on the Rea side of the family welcomed me and my mother as if we had been there the entire time.

My dad was the all aroung typical American dad. He taught me how to hunt, fish, work on cars, remodel houses, sports, you name it and me and my dad was always hip deep in some kind of mischief. He was the type of man who always loved to take care of his family. He was always there when I needed him. Now suddenly he was taken from this Earth by a heart attack. The attack came on so sudden and severe that my dad was gone before he hit the floor.

The hardest part of the passing of my dad came when I had to tell my 12 year old boy that his "papa" was now singing with the angels in heaven. Ethan took the news very, very hard. He was full of anger that quickly turned to grief. When I asked my boy if he still wanted to compete in Grapple Mania in Springfield, he replied, "yes, for Papa." Before each and every match my son usually recites the Lord's Prayer before he steps out onto the mat. Well, last weekend, not only did he recite the Lord's Prayer, but he also prayed to his Papa to watch him because he was going to win the tournament for him. My son also wrote my dad's initials on both of his shoes in tribute to my dad. After my son won first place he dropped to both knees and pointed up to the sky and said, "thats for you, Papa!"

I know that my dad is now in a much better place, but I feel that he was taken from this Earth far to soon. He had to much more love to give. Heaven, again, called for one of it's angels to come home, and my dad answered the call.

I love you Dad and I miss you!