Francis K. Lea, Jr.

My husband, Francis was a dear, sweet gentle man. A man who loved his family quietly, fervently and took great pride in each and everyone of them. He was loyal to his country and his heritage. The first love of his youth was the Air Force and was only surpassed by his love of his family. He loved to fish and hunt and enjoyed teaching these things to his daughter and his sons on family camping trips. He took his family throughout this wonderful country, from the East coast to the West coast, North to Canada and South to Florida. He wanted them to see the wonders of this beautiful USA that is their country. We started camping in an old borrowed GI sidewall tent, and then progressed to a three-room tent, then to a fold down camper, and finally an Airstream trailer.He graduated from Indiana University in 1953 and immediately went to work as a chemist for Allison, a Division of General Motors. He retired after 35 years as a Senior Experimental Chemist. He was an Air Force reservist with over 40 years of service. Music was very much a part of his life from teenage years to his death. He loved all kinds of music, classical to pops. He was a member of one choir or another for over 50 years. He was a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church and served as a Deacon, Elder and choir member. He was excited when the choir was invited to perform 5 concerts at Churches in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee, Falkirk, and Edinburgh, Scotland.Francis was very active in civic affairs in Lawrence, Indiana where the family lived for eleven years. He was President of several of the Town's various Boards and helped take Lawrence from a rural Town government to the status of City. In 1965 the family moved closer to his work on the West side of Indianapolis. He became active in the Crooked Creek Civic League and the Crooked Creek Community Council.Because of his many civic and military interests throughout the years, he was unable to do one thing that he had wanted to do for many years. He wanted to become a Mason to follow in his Father's and Grandfather's footsteps. As his civic and military duties waned, he was at last able to become a Mason at North Park Lodge 646. He was looking forward to becoming a worker in the new dyslexic center for young people at North Park Lodge.He served his God in many ways. He guided young adults through difficult times, he championed the "under dog" in everything from a floundering, confused new employee, to an overwhelmed student, to a financially strapped friend. He walked the path of his Savior, Jesus Christ.An excerpt from the song "The Wind Beneath My Wings" summarizes my feelings about my husband. "You are my hero and everything I would like to be. I can fly higher than an eagle, for you are the wind beneath my wings."

Family Tree:
Spouse:	Elena Terpinas
Children:	Michael Francis Lea Mark Stratton Lea Helen Francis Lea
Grandchildren:	Rachel Elizabeth Lea Hunter Francis Lea Ian Wiliam Lea Michael Robert Watson Richard Baylor Watson
Parents:	Francis and Myra Kovar Lea
Siblings:	Robert E. Lea Myra Jane Pinckert
Grandparents:	None listed