Captain Gary Clark Lea USAF

On January 27, 2016 Captain Gary Clark Lea, USAF (Ret.) was called to be with his Lord after a short illness. Gary Lea was the son of Avis and Joseph Lea in Dry Prong, Louisiana in April of 1934. He was the last of seven siblings to Cecil, Christine, Randall, James, Wanda and Grady. He grew up loving fishing, hunting and love of his family. In 1955, he joined the United States Air Force with basic training at Lackland Air Base in San Antonio, Texas. It was there that Gary found his love of flying and being in the air. He traveled the world while serving his country. He served tours in Southeast Asia during Korea and Vietnam. It was after the Vietnam War that Gary met the love of his life, Carolina Cruz Villamor while stationed at Clark Air Base in Manila, Philippines in 1976. In 1977, they married on the island of Guam, and shortly thereafter returned to the United States. In 1980, Gary retired from the Air Force after a distinguished career of 28 years with the rank of Captain, a station that he reveled in for the remainder of his life. After becoming part of the private sector, he spent many years in the natural gas business working at several different gas compressor companies, eventually settling in Midland, Texas. Gary is survived by his beloved wife, Carolina; his daughters, Michelle Bayless of Midland Texas and Wendy Jordan of Houston, Texas; and by his son, Mark Lea of Kansas City, Kansas. He is also survived by his beloved "little buddy" grandson, Jackson; granddaughter, Stacy; and grandson, Jonathan. He is preceded in passing by his mother Avis, his father Joseph, sisters Christine Chicola and Wanda Forhan, and by brothers Randall Lea, James Rainwater, and Cecil Lea. There will be a private viewing at Lewallen-Garcia-Pipkin Funeral Home on Monday February 1, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Captain Lea's remains will be cremated and presented to his wife Carol. In lieu of flowers, the family would like for donations to be made in Captain Lea's name to the Disabled Veterans of America charity. To help those who have served. "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isiah 40:29-31 Funeral service is under the direction of Lewallen-Garcia-Pipkin Funeral Home and Chapel. Family messages and condolences may be emailed to [email protected] or you can visit our website at www.lewallengarciapipkinfh.com.