Thomas Lea

Our much-loved husband, father and grandfather and great grandfather, Tom Lea, of Mahomet, Illinois, passed away on February 1st,2024, in Orlando, Florida after a prolonged battle with multiple health issues. His loving family was with him. Tom was born in Scranton, Pa. on February 1, 1941 to father, Tom Lea Sr., and mother, Melba ( Cooper) Lea, also of Scranton. He was an only child.

Mr. Lea had a multitude of interests which he pursued with enthusiasm and expertise. He was known for his skills at restoring British MG cars. His wife, Donna, recalls the many buckets of parts that filled their garage over the years, but would miraculously become integral pieces of a functioning automobile under his care. Tom was also known for his talents as a carpenter. His ability for visualizing a project and then making it become a reality was well appreciated by many. He was adept at working with computers and taught classes on them at Parkland College and Mahomet High School where he was employed for 18 years. He also taught automotive skills to high school students. Tom was an avid trap shooter and was a member of a shooting league for 22 years. He enjoyed fishing and supplied many groups of friends with fish for a fish fry that he took great pride in hosting! He was a golfer for many years and generously provided the Lake of the Woods golf course with T Boxes which he constructed and repaired as a means of giving back some of the enjoyment he received from his time playing the game. He donated his time and talents to Make-A-Wish for 15 years and was instrumental in fulfilling the wishes of many sick children.

Tom was a 20 year veteran of the Air Force and served a year in Vietnam. He retired from the service in 1980 and then decided to attend college for his teaching degree. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1982 with a Bachelors degree in education, and in 1988 with his Masters.

In 1998, Tom and his wife became involved in a school project in a remote area of Nepal. As a means of introducing limited technology to the students, he volunteered to spend three months living a very primitive existence with a Nepali family near the school. His time on the mountain became one of the most rewarding highlights of his life. Tom ad Donna returned 10 times to Kathmandu and those trips inspired them to do more global traveling.

Mr. Lea is survived by his wife of 59 years, Donna, his daughter Sherie (Mark)Tester of Orlando, Florida, granddaughter, Jessica (Allan) Kroyer of Orlando, Florida, granddaughter Meaghan Tester of Austin, Texas and great granddaughters, Harper and Aurora Kroyer.

A visitation will be held on February 9th at 10a.m. at the Lutheran Church of Mahomet 410 Andover Dr. Mahomet, IL. 61853 with a memorial service to follow at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The American Heart Association.

The family has entrusted Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 1102 Churchill Rd. Mahomet. IL. 61853 with his arrangements.

Please join his family in sharing memories, photos and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

Services Memorial Visitation Friday February 9, 2024 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Lutheran Church of Mahomet 410 E. Andover Dr. Mahomet, , Illinois 61853 Memorial Service Friday February 9, 2024 11:00 AM Lutheran Church of Mahomet 410 E. Andover Dr. Mahomet, , Illinois 61853