Frank "Bud" Rhea

Frank (Bud) Garner Rhea December 2, 1944 to April 2, 2021 Bud Rhea passed peacefully into Glory at his home on April 2, 2021. He leaves behind a loving family and many good friends. Bud was the second of three sons born to SE and Doris Rhea. He was born in Tucson, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Robert (Bob) (Elaine). He is survived by his wife Delores, of 57 years, son Jason (Gayle), and daughter Delanea (John), brother Richard (Dick) Rhea (Cathy), grandchildren Sol (Tonya), Cory, Cole (Hannah), April, Essie and Johnny, and great granddaughters Frankie and Lacie, as well as his beloved nieces Dawn, Kim, Barbie, Pam and nephew Charlie. Bud's early years were spent mainly on ranches or small rural communities near Sasabe, Ajo, and the Sahuarita Mountains in Southeast Arizona. After graduating from Pueblo High School in Tucson, he married his high school sweetheart, Delores. They had their son, Jason, and shortly thereafter, the family moved to the Prescott area in Yavapai County where their daughter Delanea was born. Bud spent the majority of his adult life working as a cowboy and ranch foreman on various ranches in Yavapai County and then occasionally worked in road construction. After deciding to semi-retire and relocate back to southeast Arizona in 2001, he didn't stay idle for long. He and Delores settled in Cochise, Arizona and in the years to follow, he worked as a haul truck driver at the Asarco Mine in Sahuarita, rode pens and doctored cattle at a local feedlot, worked for a concrete company and drove semi-trucks during several harvests for Haas Farms in the Willcox/Bonita area in addition to many other day-working jobs. Bud could turn his hand to many things. He was an accomplished welder, a good mechanic and had various other talents and abilities that he had acquired over the decades. He remained humble and modest throughout his life. He had a wonderful way with animals and was particularly good with horses. People were drawn to him. He had a warm quality that drew young and old alike. He was shy and didn't care much for crowds, but he was very likable and usually found something positive to say. Bud's good-natured, cheerful manner and quiet character, integrity and work ethic influenced many young men he worked with over the years. He was one to lift others up and had an incredible sense of humor. He loved to play practical jokes and had a quick wit that caught many off guard. Bud was a man of few words, but when he did speak, people listened because he usually had something incredibly amusing or insightful to say. Bud made himself available for anyone in need. He was a wonderful provider for his family, fostered a joyful home life and enjoyed spending time with his family and good friends. Reminiscing about the old days was a favorite pastime. In his younger years, he went to a lot of jackpot ropings and went fishing anytime he could. Bud will be greatly missed, but his family and friends alike rejoice for him knowing that he is in the arms of his Savior, reunited with family and friends who have passed on to Glory before him. Memorial Services will be 11:00 am on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Sunizona.

Frank "Bud" Rhea

December 2, 1944 - April 2, 2021