James “Doc” Conrad Rea, 71, of Wichita, Kansas passed away Dec. 18, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. James was born Jan. 28, 1950, in Wichita, Kansas to Harold and Elinor Rea.
James was preceded in death by his parents, sister Amy and brother Russell.
James is survived by his wife, Jean, to whom he had been happily married for 50 years; daughters Jessica (Robert) Morris, Jennifer (Karon) Lovelady, Jamie (Andrew) Lutz; and grandchildren William and Samantha Morris and Elouise Lutz. Also surviving are his older siblings Ruth Fraser and Roger (Liz) Rea, many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.
James was born Jan. 28, 1950. He grew up in Halstead, Kansas, graduated from Halstead High School and received a BS degree in Nursing from Wichita State University. James was an avid storyteller, singer, camper, hunter, fisherman, and enjoyed playing his dulcimer. He will be remembered for his ability to spin tales of his latest adventures – with a knack for telling the story a bit larger than what actually occurred!
James and Jean enjoyed traveling across our beautiful country with the girls in a pop up camper, and then in a Winnebago after retirement. They also enjoyed traveling to Europe. The joy was always in the journey … and often seemed to end with ice cream.
James retired after a 35-year career as an RN at the Veterans Hospital in Wichita. He was also a member of the Army Reserve, serving with the 410th Evacuation Hospital. His unit was activated during Operation Desert Storm in the 1990s. He always considered it “An honor to serve” in the U.S. military.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, at Grace Presbyterian Church, 5002 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita. Graveside services will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton, Kansas at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Grace Presbyterian Church.
