Bolivar Councilman David Rhea succumbs to cancer

The City of Bolivar lost one of their council members last week when David Rhea, 63, passed away at his home on Wednesday, April 8, after a long bought with cancer.
Rhea first won a spot on the council in 2009, and was re-elected in 2013. He ran unopposed in both elections.
“David loved this city,” Rhea's wife, Suzanne Rhea said. “He was really interested in seeing the downtown area continue to improve, and really tried to make Bolivar a better place to live.”
Rhea was remembered by the city on their Facebook page.
“Mayor Barrett Stevens, the Bolivar City Council, and the employees of the City of Bolivar are deeply saddened at the recent passing of City Councilman David Rhea. Councilman Rhea proudly served the citizens of Bolivar for many years and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Councilman Rhea during this very difficult time,” wrote the city.
Mayor Barrett Stevens said, “David has served the citizens of Bolivar faithfully and with great integrity and pride. He has been a valuable asset to this council , to the citizens, and to his family and friends. We extend our condolences and prayers to his family and friends. He will be missed.”
Rhea was born on May 18, 1951, in Somerville, TN to the late James Samuel Rhea, and Annie Marie Crawford Rhea. Because he was the baby of the family, friends and family members started calling him DaDa, and the name stuck. He graduated from Fayette County High School and worked on the family farm for several years before going to work as the General Manager of the Somerville Country Club. In 1986, he moved to Memphis, where he worked as General Manager of the Colonial Country Club until 1990.
On March 26, 1988, he married Susan Garrett. The two stayed in the Memphis area until 1992, when they decided to make Bolivar home. Suzanne was raised here. David went to work as a service tech at Superior Plumbing and Heating where he was employed from 1992 until 2011when he left his job to concentrate on his dream Barbeque and Yum Yum Catering

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