Joseph (Joe Bert) Rhea,

(Must have Broadband Connection to view Video Tribute) Mr. Joseph Albert (Joe Bert) Rhea, Jr., age 87, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at his residence. Joe Bert was born in Damascus, the son of the late Joseph Albert (Ab) Rhea, Sr. & Elizabeth Kathryn (Babe) Koozer Rhea. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Jean McGuire Rhea, his second wife, Sally Mae Thomason Rhea, his third wife, Patricia Johnson Rhea; a grandson, William Todd Sparks; and two sisters, Rosalie Rhea Rush and Patricia Rhea DeBusk. Mr. Rhea was a graduate of Damascus High school, a student at Virginia Tech and he completed his college degree at Emory & Henry College. He was a career officer in the U.S. Air Force, served in World War II, the Korean Conflict, and during the Vietnam Era and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He served in numerous command positions including Japan and Burma. Joe Bert spent much of his life in public service. He was a former mayor of Damascus, and had served on the Washington County, Virginia Board of Supervisors and the Virginia State Transportation Board. He was a Senior Life Master of the American Contract Bridge League. He was a longtime member of the Damascus United Methodist Church and attended Highlands Fellowship. Survivors include six children, Joseph A. Rhea, III & wife Linda of Tampa, Florida; Joe Allen Sparks & wife Carol of Oviedo, Florida; Thomas R. Rhea & wife Joyce of Bristol, Virginia; Richard D. Rhea of Gulf Breeze, Florida; Laura Reke Hodgson & husband Tony of Damascus, Virginia; Tom Reke & wife Vicki of Lexington, South Carolina; eight grandchildren, Brien A. Rhea, Joseph A. Rhea IV, Michelle Rhea Mullins, Christopher A. Sparks, R. Jason Rhea, Jennifer P. Rhea, Madison T. Reke & Clay T. Reke; five great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. The funeral service for Joe Bert Rhea will be conducted at 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, April 27, 2008 in the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel with his nephew, Mike Rush officiating. The family will receive friends at the Garrett Funeral Home from 3:00 P.M. until the time of the service on Sunday evening. A private graveside service for the family of Mr. Rhea will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, April 28, 2008 at Knollkreg Memorial Park in Abingdon, Virginia. Honorary Pallbearers are Paschal Grindstaff, John Sebo, Dr. Tom Luck, Hoyle Houck, Bob Preston, Gary Reed, Congressman Rick Boucher, Fealous Stamper, Vernon Waters, Jack DeBusk, Fred Surber, Bill Rush, Sr., and John Henderson, Sr. The family requests those who wish can make memorial contributions to The American Cancer Society, 230 Charwood Drive, Abingdon, Virginia 24210 or to a charity of their choice. Online condolences may be sent and viewed and a video memorial tribute may be viewed by visiting www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Mr. Rhea and his family are in the care of Garrett Funeral Home, 203 N. Shady Ave., Damascus, VA 24236, 276/475-3631.Read Obituary