Obituary of James A. Rea

James A. Rea, 80, of 20 South St. Panama, NY, passed away unexpectedly at 10:01 a.m. Saturday, December 3, 2016, in W.C.A. Hospital. A lifelong area resident, he was born September 18, 1936 in Jamestown, NY a son of the late William and Ruth Carlson Rea and a son-in-law to the late James and Ellen Button. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from 1960 to 1962 and was discharged from the Army Reserves in 1966 Before his retirement he was employed as an inspector for the Marlin Rockwell Corporation where he worked for 42 years. Jim was a member of the Panama United Methodist Church and the Panama Fire Department where served as an assistant chief. He also taught EMT classes and had worked for the former Jamestown Ambulance Service for several years. He was a member of the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, the Herman Kent Post 777 American Legion, Celoron, NY, the Ingjald Lodge 65 Independent Order of the Vikings, the Mt Moriah Lodge # 145 Free and Accepted Masons and served as a Boy Scout Leader. He loved living close to the lake and was an avid fisherman. A loving and caring husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sharon E. Button Rea whom he married September 4, 1960, two sons, Thomas (Valerie) Rea of Bemus Point, Terry (Angela) Rea of Jamestown, a daughter, Tammy (Michele) Rea of Bemus Point, and his three grandchildren, Joshua Rea, Brandon Rea and Jillian Rea. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Richard Rea. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Steven Taylor, pastor of the Panama United Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Panama Union Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home where a Masonic Lodge Funeral Service will be conducted at 7:45 p.m. Monday Memorials may be made to the Panama Fire Department, 27 East Main St. Panama, NY 14767 or to the Erie Regional Cancer Center Foundation, 2500 West 12th St., Erie, PA 16505.