Gary Rea
Rea
Gary Rea, 85, passed away on June 6, 2026, surrounded by his family in Martinez, GA. He was born in St. Marys, WV, to Dallas and Esther(Wilson) Rea as part of a large Christian family including six sisters and one brother.
Gary graduated from St. Marys High School in 1960, where he was affectionately known as “the very devil” by his classmates for always pranking them. He was in the first student body to attend the newly opened Ohio Valley Christian College(University) in Parkersburg, WV. He went on to obtain his B.S. degree in chemistry from Marietta College in Marietta, OH. Following his childhood passion for the sciences and research, he led a successful and rewarding career of more than 40 years as a polymer research chemist specializing in flame retardants. He held positions at Union Carbide Silicones in Sistersville, WV, Continental Can in Chicago, IL, Borg Warner Chemicals(Marbon) in Washington, WV, Amoco Performance Products in both Augusta and Alpharetta, GA and ending his career at M.A. Hanna Co.(Polyone Corp.) in Suwanee, GA. His career took him as far away as Japan, Puerto Rico and many U.S. states where he thrived on assisting clients with the specialized materials he helped develop for a variety of industries and applications including being named on three product patents. He also served a term as President of S.P.E.(Society of Plastics Engineers) in Atlanta, GA.
God and family were his first priorities followed by hard work which he talked about almost until his last breath. He married Linda Wiseman in 1962 and together they raised three sons for whom they were proud to say are all college graduates. Gary had many cherished roles all revolving around family; husband, father, grandfather, brother and son. He was a family man in the truest sense. He valued sincere relationships above all and strived to be thoughtful, helpful and generous in many ways through roles such as Boy Scout Master, Sunday school teacher, little league baseball coach, and Parkersburg High School rowing team booster. He never met a stranger, willing to lend a helping hand and was loved by all who cared to really know him.
After retiring in 2003, he and Linda enjoyed traveling to many places including France, Belgium, Mexico, Hawaii, the Maritime Provinces of Canada, as well as several U.S. States in their motorhome. Family cruises throughout the Caribbean and more local trips to Myrtle Beach, SC were the most treasured. Being a grandfather to four grandsons and finally, a granddaughter was especially prideful and joyous … always giving them his love and special attention. Their Pop was a special man.
He will never be forgotten and missed by his family and friends beyond words. He was a life-long member of the Church of Christ and we take comfort in knowing he is now with his Savior, Jesus Christ. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity and quiet strength.
Gary was predeceased by his father and mother, brother Wilber of Desert Hot Springs, CA sister, Dolores Kemp of Vincent, OH and sister, Reta Fridley of Little Hocking, OH. He is survived by his wife Linda of Martinez, GA; Sons Troy(Tracy) of Evans, GA and their children Kian, Kellan and Brenna, Todd of Martinez, GA and Tim(Lori) of Woodstock, GA and their children Garrett and Gavin; sisters Mary Lamp of Greensboro, NC, Deb Brady of Marietta, OH, Sue McFarland of Belmont, WV and Linda Lynch of Williamstown, WV, along with several nieces and nephews including his special traveling niece, Lori Kemp Heldreth of Bridgeport, WV and nephew Keith Kemp of Fairmont, WV.
Services will be Saturday 11:00 am at the Leavitt Funeral Home, Parkersburg with Ron Laughery officiating.
Burial will follow at Willow Island Cemetery.
Visitation is Friday 5-8 pm at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.LeavittFuneralHome.com.