Orville O. Rhea

Orville O. Rhea, 91, of Orlando, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Known as “Bud”, he was born on May 2, 1934, in Knoxville, Tennessee to Barbara Jean Myers Rhea and Orville O. Rhea, Sr.

Bud was a 1952 graduate of Fulton High School. While in high school, he excelled at playing basketball, where he was the team captain, and running track, where he was the top high school hurdler for the state of Tennessee. He next attended the University of Tennessee (Knoxville), graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1956. While at UT, he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, serving in various leadership roles. He was also in Air Force ROTC while attending UT, graduating as a commissioned officer.

After graduating from UT, he worked for a brief time in Dayton, Ohio. While there, he played on the local YMCA volleyball team where they won the state championship. This started his long association playing in competitive volleyball leagues. He also coached and refereed as well. While in the Air Force, his team were base champs in 1960.

Bud proudly served our country as a navigator and officer in the Air Force from 1957 - 1960. He navigated the C-124 Globemaster II, affectionately referred to as “Old Shakey”, which took him on missions all over the world.

While stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, Bud met the love of his life, Bonnie Bailey, on a blind date. They were married in 1960 and would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on July 30th. They started their married life together in Orlando, where Bud took a job with Martin Marietta (renamed Lockheed Martin in 1995), where he worked for over 30 years.

After retirement, Bud and Bonnie loved to travel, taking many wonderful trips both in this country and overseas.

Bud loved to garden and always had a beautifully landscaped yard at both homes his family lived in Orlando. He had a multitude of orchids which he treasured, along with a collection of beautiful camellia bushes. One of his flowers even won a well-deserved ribbon and recognition in the amateur category by The Camellia Society of Central Florida, of which he was a member.

He also filled his days volunteering after retirement. He coordinated and drove in the Bus Ministry for 17 years at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando, where he and his family were members since 1960. He also served as an Elder and Deacon there, as well as serving communion to shut in members. Additionally, he volunteered at Orlando Health driving patients and guests around the hospital campus in the “the pink shuttle”.

Bud and Bonnie lived their later years at Orlando Lutheran Towers where Bud was also engaged in several activities, among them, leading chair exercise classes and participating in pen art classes where he created beautiful works of art.

Bud is survived by his wife, Bonnie, his children, Diane Browning (Kelly), Michael Rhea and Douglas Rhea (Lynne) and 3 grandchildren, Brandon Rhea, Cristian Rhea, and Owen Rhea. He is predeceased by his sister Nancy Rhea.

Family was everything to Bud, and he always had time for them, whatever the need. He thoroughly enjoyed spending quality time with his grandchildren.

Bud was a selfless, compassionate, patient man who could not do enough for his family and others. He brought positivity and optimism into our lives every day. One of his favorite sayings was “Stay Positive”.

Bud treated all he knew with kindness and leaves that legacy with his children.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m., at the Orlando Lutheran Towers Chapel, 300 East Church Street, 18th Floor, Orlando, Florida 32801.

To honor Bud's memory, be kind to one another and plant a beautiful flower or tree.