Stephen Rhea's Obituary
STEPHEN HERBERT RHEA, JR., 62 of Memphis, TN passed away peacefully at his home on May 16, 2012. He is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Leigh Schopfer Rhea, their two daughters Emily Keith Rhea and Elizabeth “Lizzy” Rhea Cook (Stuart), his mother Linda Williams Rhea and two sisters, Suzanne Rhea Burgar (Paul) and Marilyn Rhea Cheeseman (Van). He was preceded in death by his father, S. Herbert Rhea. Steve was born in St. Louis, but the family moved to Memphis soon after. He graduated from Memphis University School in 1968 and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. He returned to Memphis and worked for Ardent Recording Studio then Caldwell, Bartlett and Wood, and Archer Malmo Advertising. Steve returned to SMU and earned an MBA in Accounting and Finance in 1981. While in Dallas he met and married Memphian Leigh Schopfer who was attending Baylor Nursing School. They spent several years in Dallas where Steve was a Principal with LWFW, Inc., a management consulting firm. He and Leigh were also active members of Highland Park Presbyterian Church. Steve loved Memphis and moved his family, which now included two precious daughters, back in 1989. He became a Senior Vice President with Leader Federal Bank. After Leader was acquired by Union Planters Bank, he went on to hold Senior Vice President positions in both the Memphis bank and the Union Planters Corporation before leaving to work with his father, the late S. Herbert Rhea. Steve and close friend Alex Thompson took the reins of Summit Asset Management LLC, a wealth management firm, in 1999. Steve was deeply involved in the Memphis community. He served on the boards of the Second Presbyterian Foundation, The Thomas W. Briggs Foundation, and Trezevant Homes of Memphis. He was a past Board Chairman of Mid-South Public Broadcasting (WKNO), a board member of St. Mary’s Episcopal School, an honorary trustee of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, and on the professional advisory group of the Jewish Foundation of Memphis. In 2009 Steve received the Julian Bondurant Distinguished Service Award from WKNO Public Broadcasting after chairing the Capital Campaign that enabled the station to build its Digital Media Center. He was selected a Memphis magazine Five-Star Wealth Manager. Steve was active at Second Presbyterian Church where he served as elder, worship leader, and Bible teacher. One of Steve’s great joys was music and reuniting with his high school band The Strangers for their 40th reunion at MUS. They played for subsequent birthdays and other events, with all money raised going to MUS. He was a generous man of great faith. “Well done, good and faithful servant!” The family would like to thank his many friends and caregivers for their prayers, love and magnificent support during the past year. A private graveside service will be held on Friday morning May 18th. Visitation will be at Second Presbyterian Church at 12:30 pm on the same day followed by a memorial service in the Sanctuary at 2 pm. Memorials may be sent to the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation, 4055 Poplar Memphis 38111, to WKNO, 7151 Cherry Farms Road Cordova 38016 or to the Church Health Center, 1210 Peabody Avenue Memphis 38104. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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