Robert E. Lea, Jr. Memorial Fund CHARITYSMITH

ROBERT E. LEA, JR. MEMORIAL FUND

The Robert E. Lea, Jr. Memorial Fund has been established from the love his family holds on to and the heartfelt respect of his friends, employees and co-workers. We want to help people in recovery from drugs and/or alcohol the way that "Bob" did everyday. This fund can promote a healthy lifestyle by helping with the cost of books for school, or the cost of a deposit for housing, or clothes for a new job, etc....

The recipient has to be clean and sober and has completed a "drug and alcohol program". We hope that maybe this fund would help the recipient stay on the right road of life, just like Bob did after he completed his drug and alcohol program.

 

About Robert E. Lea, Jr.

Bob was a fighter from the beginning but I don't think he realized how much of one he would need to be through his life. He started out his journey fighting, as he was two months pre-mature. He wasn't the star of everything growing up but he was very intelligent and he did have charisma and charm. The girls loved him and so did everyone else who met him. As a child, Bob, his mom Betty and two sisters Beverly and Lindy went through a lot of heartache and rough times. Bob and his family witnessed his step-Father's accidental death. This as a child leaves its mark. His younger sister had an accident at school and was in a leg brace for three years. His grandparents were very stern and didn't offer a lot of love and support to him or his Mother and sisters. All of these things changed the close knit families' dynamics and Bob assumed the role of man of the house. No one could tell him differently. Bob at the age of 17 married into a ready made family. His bride Pam already had a son and soon after another son Adam came along. This marriage ended a few years later and he remarried a young woman named Debbie who after 34 years was the true love of his life. He added another son, Brandon and daughter, Jessica to complete his family.

During these years Bob and his wife complicated their lives with years of drug abuse. They both lost so much. The love of family values, time and Bob's health. Bob developed Diabetes and Hepatitis C. He ran into some trouble and had to start going to ADAP(court mandated drug counseling). It made him grow as a person and literally saved his life. Bob really started giving back. That old Charm and Charisma that our brother always had was back. The fighter and leader had reemerged. He went back to school, earned a degree, became a counselor and helped numerous people. He was helping to save lives and to protect these people from losing the programs that Bob knew they so desperately needed. He fought for drug programs that were and are being cut back in his community, the county and state and even went to Washington D.C. to talk about legislative funding.

He also started doing Old West re-enactments. Man, he was the Star. He didn't need to act, he just was. With a given name like Robert E. Lea, Jr. how can you go wrong! Hence, "Bandit Bob" was born. He was like watching a real cowboy come to life. He even had parts in the movie "Deadwood" as an extra.

During this time Bob's diabetes was in check but his liver began to fail. He needed a liver transplant. Bob's sister Beverly got a call from her best friend Christie and her nephew's (Blake) life was tragically ended. Christie's family graciously donated Blake's liver and it was a 100% match for our brother. Out of every tragedy comes good. He again took stock of his life and was realized if you are not doing some type of good you are not really living. The good he needed to do was with his family. He became a very devoted husband and father. He was a friend to all. He mended relationships and took others to new levels. He spent quality time with his wife and children. All 6 of his grandchildren were the apple of his eye. His work family loved and adored him. His western family was just that to him, "Family".

Bob developed Cancer and this time God decided he needed our fighter and left us devastated. Bob would not want us to give up and let all his straight time and hard work be for nothing. He would want us to continue to fight and be strong. That's why we decided we need to start being fighters for Bob. His family wants to continue his crusade to help people who are addicted to drugs by having funding for housing, re-hab, etc. That's why we have developed the Robert E. Lea, Jr. Memorial Fund. To honor his legacy; a true fighter to help people who otherwise might not be able to help themselves.

Robert E. Lea, Jr. was like no other and there will never be anyone like him. But, maybe someone will try to live as though he did, with a great passion. We hope so... We Love You Dude... Happy Trails Cowboy!

 

 

Fund Administrators:

 

 

Donations:

All donations to the Robert E. Lea, Jr. Memorial Fund (a division of CHARITYSMITH) are tax deductible in accordance with federal tax laws. Donations can be made using one of the following secure methods:

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