James Dean Rea, 81, of North Washington, passed away Wednesday at Sugar Creek Rest.

He was born on Oct. 24, 1931, in Washington Township, Butler County, the son of George Herman Dean Rea and Laura LaVerne (Anderson) Rea.

James graduated from Concord High School, and worked as a custodian for Castle Rubber, retiring in 1989. He was involved in the North Washington community and served as a volunteer fireman. James also worked at the North Washington rodeo and formerly attended the North Washington Presbyterian Church. He was known for being a big sports fan and he faithfully cheered on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates every season.

His memory will be cherished by his nieces and nephews, Deborah Fiscus and husband, David, of Simpsonville, S.C., Janet Parsons and husband, Robert, of Bethany Beach, Del., Amy Fields and husband, Gary, of Bethlehem, Pa., Martha Tack and husband, William Hueston, of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. and Edward Tack and wife, Barbara, of Conneaut, Ohio; several grandnieces and grandnephews, several great-grand-nieces and great-grand-nephews, and special cousin and friend, Dennis Gaiser and wife, Elaine, of Petrolia.

James was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Revah L. Tack and B. Joan Barger Towns, and niece, Larraine Tack Allen.

REA — Relatives and friends of James Dean Rea, who passed away Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013, were received from 11 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 1 p.m. today at the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home, 102 S. Argyle St., Petrolia, with Chaplain Robert Pascoe officiating.Burial was in North Washington Cemetery.Contributions can be made in James' memory to Amedisys Hospice Care, 240 Pullman Square, Suite 255, Butler, PA 16001 or Sugar Creek Rest Resident Fund, 120 Lakeside Drive, Worthington, PA 16262.To express online condolences to James' family, visit www.bauerhillisfuneral.com.