DR. KARL B. RHEA, SR.

DR. KARL B. RHEA, SR., lifelong resident of Somerville and local Family Physician for 50 years, died unexpectedly at his home shortly after midnight January 19, 2009. He was 77 years of age.

Funeral Services for Dr. Rhea were conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday, January 21st at Peebles West Funeral Chapel on Highway 64 at Oakland with Rev. Christopher M. Treat, Pastor of the Christ Presbyterian Church of Somerville, officiating. Interment followed in the Somerville City Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-West Chapel of Oakland.

Dr. Rhea was still active in his practice and vitally involved in the community at the time of his death. In 1954, he began his medical practice in Somerville at Morris Clinic, assuming the practice of the retired Dr. John Morris. He remained there for 25 years before founding the Rhea Clinic in 1983. His son, Dr. Karl B. Rhea, Jr. joined him in practice in 1990. Pam Pierski, FNP, entered the practice in 1998.

Dr. Rhea was a long term delegate of the West Tennessee Consolidated Medical Assembly and a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice, with the distinction of achieving Board Certification and recertification every six years since the board originated in 1968.

Dr. Rhea was born February 2, 1931, the third and youngest child of the late Wilhelmina Litterer Rhea and the late Howard Matthew Rhea, Sr. He was preceded in death by his sister Elizabeth Rhea Seibold and his brother Howard Matthew Rhea, Jr.

He excelled in academics and athletics, achieving local fame as a star half-back in the single-wing offense for the Fayette County Panthers football teams and statewide fame as a track star. He lettered in four sports in each of his four years of high school.

He attended college at Southwestern at Memphis, medical school at the University of Tennessee at Memphis and interned at Shreveport, Louisiana. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard in Bemidji, Minnesota and Miami, Florida. He then completed his residency at the V.A. Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

He married Mary Elizabeth Borum on June 11, 1959. They had three sons: Karl B. Rhea Jr., Robert H. M. Rhea, Sr. and William "Bill" Scott Rhea, Sr.

A lifelong Presbyterian, he served numerous terms as both Deacon and Elder and was also very active in the choir. He was a charter member of Christ Presbyterian Church in Somerville.

Dr. Rhea served several terms as an Alderman for the City of Somerville and as a County Commissioner.

Active and vital until the end, Dr. Rhea played golf and tennis, rode horseback and even slalom water-skied. He was a model husband, father, grandfather, physician, Christian, mentor and friend. He exemplified his faith in his daily walk. He will always be remembered for his friendly demeanor and his soft, gentle, compassionate spirit. He encouraged all he was around. He had a unique gift of being able to connect with all ages. He will be greatly missed.

In addition to his wife and children, Dr. Rhea is survived by six grandchildren: Chandler Scott Rhea, Karl Byington Rhea, III, R. H. Matthew Rhea, Jr., William Scott Rhea, Jr., Caroline McCain Elizabeth Rhea and Elizabeth Ann Rhea.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were Martin Michael, Jr., Scott Michael, Martin Michael, Sr., David Walker, Jeff Fletcher, Harry Ozier, Calvin Ozier and Stafford McNamee.

Honorary casket bearers were Bobby Morris, "Preacher" Shelton, Frank Boswell, Carter Boswell, Payson Matthews, Bob Reir, Mike Atkeison, Tommy Kail, Ken Goddard, Joe Rimstidt, David "Chief" Givens and Harry Shaw.

The family requests that Memorials be directed to the Building Fund of Christ Presbyterian Church, 7062 Hwy. 64, Box 223, Oakland, TN 38060 or to the Community Bible Study, 290 Stout Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80921-3802.