Robert Cecil Rhea, Jr. departed this world on December 20, 2017 to join his heavenly father. Bob Rhea was born in Seminole, OK to Robert Cecil Rhea and Mayme Emma Guffy Rhea. The family lived in Seiling, OK before moving to Austin, TX where Bob enlisted in the Navy during World War II, and was assigned to the Naval Air Station west of Galveston, TX as an air traffic controller and later served in Louisiana and Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Bob married Elsby "Bea" Mae Allen in Austin, TX. He served as an air traffic controller in Texas and Ohio and was an instructor at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. After retirement from FAA, Bob served as an international aviation consultant with ICAO. Bob and Bea had the opportunity to travel around the world and live in both Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. On the way home from Saudi Arabia, they traveled through Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. When traveling through Europe by trains and boats, they stopped in Melch, Austria, and saw a Guttenberg Press. They were in awe to be able to look upon such a valuable relic in history that contributed so much to the distribution of the Bible. The family made their home in Bethany, OK, in 1965. Bob is survived by his wife Elsby Rhea, of Bethany, and his three daughters Karen Litteral, of Oklahoma City, Gail Maucere, of Norman, and Barbara Spates, of Norman. The Rheas have five grandsons, Brian Litteral, Adam Anderson, Craig Maucere, Kyle Anderson, and Robert Maucere. Rhea is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Keith Rhea, of Austin, Texas, and Wayne Rhea of Liberty Hill, Texas, and many loving extended family members. Bob Rhea was preceeded in death by his parents, Robert Cecil Rhea and Mayme Guffy Rhea, and his sister, Peggy Rhea Saunders, all of Texas. Burial Arrangements in Bethany Cemetery were made by Mercer-Adams Funeral Home in Bethany. The Rheas are members of St. Marks Methodist Church in Bethany. A memorial service will be held on Dec. 27 at 3:00 PM. at Baptist Village, where both Bob Rhea and Elsby Rhea received care and met a host of friends and caring staff members who have offered support to the family. Recently, at a Talk of the Town concert, he dedicated the song L.O.V.E. to Elsby and had a red rose presented to her, when he was physically not able to enjoy the concert with her. That was an example of his loving nature and gentle spirit. We will remember Bob Rhea in our hearts and how he was a Christian example of everlasting love and commitment to his family. Memorial Service Wednesday, December 27, 2017 03:00 PM Baptist Village Community Chapel 9700 Mashburn Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73162