August 29th, 2019

Don Rea to be honored Sept. 5 for 47 years of volunteer service

Don Rea

   ALBANY – Don Rea, a longtime Albany resident, will be honored Thursday, Sept. 5, for his 47 years of volunteer service in the community.
   The Don Rea Appreciation Day Ice Cream Social will start at 6:30 that evening at First Christian Church, 432 Ferry Street S.W., where Rea has been a member since 1973. Doors open at 6 p.m.
  Rea, 94, will be recognized for his volunteer and leadership roles with Fish of Albany, Waverly Elementary School, Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Club of Albany, Friendship Force, Albany Peace Seekers, Albany Kiwanis Club, Jackson Street Youth Services and the church.
  Rea grew up in Aberdeen, Wash., and served in the Navy during World War II. He graduated in 1949 from Linfield College with a bachelor’s degree in social studies.
   He married Elizabeth "Betty" Neumann on Sept. 6, 1952, in Negaunee, Mich. They raised four sons, Brent, Matt, Kirby and Joel. Betty died in 2014.
   Rea has five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
  The family moved in 1972 from Kirkland, Wash., to Albany, where Rea served as associate director and later executive director of the Mid-Willamette Family YMCA. He worked for Ransom and Smith Real Estate from 1975 until his retirement in 1986.
   In addition to his continuing volunteer work, Rea is known for his unwavering dedication to peace and justice.
   The Sept. 5 ice cream social will also include a number Rea’s favorite songs. The sing-alongs will be led by Paul Pritchard, First Christian member, and Jim Asleson, recently retired YMCA executive director.
​   For more information, contact First Christian Church, 541-926-8606.
 
   Please note: The Linn Dems monthly general meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Sept. 10, so people can attend the Don Rea Appreciation Day Ice Cream Social on Sept. 5. The Sept. 10 Dems meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. S.E. A social time with light refreshments begins at 6.