Anthony Addison Lea

Raleigh – Anthony “Tony” Lea, 90, passed away on October 28, 2022, with his sons by his side. Tony was born September 12, 1932, in Atlanta, Georgia to the late James and Charlotte Lea.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 19, 2022, at 1:00 P.M., at the Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road, Garner.

Tony grew up in Atlanta. He once won a bet by drinking four milkshakes in one sitting. He gained a lifelong appreciation for baseball going to games with his father. He also loved to go fishing with his dad, though that pastime did not stick. He graduated from Episcopal High School in Virginia. From there he went to college at Vanderbilt, where he lettered in wrestling and football. He earned money for college playing poker (and not drinking like everyone else!). After Vanderbilt, he went to Emory University and earned a master’s degree in Mathematics. He also served in the U.S. Army. Though never deployed due to his eyesight, he made a big impact by organizing intramural sports. He set up baseball and wrestling leagues. In one of the wrestling tournaments, he defeated a pro-football player to win his division by encouraging the better athlete to show off for the crowd doing handstands and feats of strength. By the time he got to the end of the match, his opponent had no strength left and Dad rolled him to the ground and pinned him. He went to work at IBM, where he put in thirty years. He was legendary at the Big Blue as a problem solver and thinker. He was instrumental in deploying the SABRE airline system which is still in use today. He married Cherry Warner, and they had sons Tony and Don. He was a devoted husband and father. He continued playing softball and started playing tennis, his ultimate life passion. While not fast, he was quick and had unbelievable stamina. He was also particularly adept at spins and slices and all manner of trick shots that befuddled opponents. He regularly beat younger, “better” players by defying their expectations and outlasting them. There was not much he liked better than a hot, sunny, humid afternoon playing tennis because he flowered, and his opponents wilted. He also had a true green thumb and created several amazing gardens. His roses were among the most beautiful and fragrant of any ever seen. His favorite strain was Double Delight, which started white and turned pink and red in the sun and smelled heavenly. After divorcing in 1986, he moved to Albuquerque so he could play tennis year-round. He married again and enjoyed life in the west. He and his wife Dee were wildly compatible doubles partners and won a number of regional tournaments in their age group. He also started teaching math at the University of New Mexico. Go Lobos! He was a natural teacher, loving being in the classroom and the interaction with students. Alas, that marriage did not last. Since Don and Tony had both landed back in the Raleigh area, he decided to move back to be close to family. He met and married Jo and they spent twenty wonderful years together. They moved to Wake Forest, NC, where they lived for the last five years of their life together. Dad was always known for his sweet disposition and his kindness. Those qualities were even more in evidence as he got older. He moved into a care home (which was clean, well-lit, and beautiful) shortly before Jo passed away. While living in that home and another, he was beloved for his smile and his constant expression of gratitude. While we miss his spirit and light, he lived a wonderful life. He is smiling, laughing, and jumping now, finally able to play tennis and garden again with all the people he loves.

In addition to his parents, Tony was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie “Jo” Lea; brother, James Lea; and sister, Charlotte Robinson.

He is survived by sons, Tony Lea Jr. and Don Lea; stepdaughters, Kara Taylor (Brian) and Beth Overton (Brent); grandchildren, Cameron Lea, Alex Lathey (Brad), Bobby Taylor, Ava Taylor, Jack Taylor, Samuel Deskus, and Kieran Deskus; great-grandchild, Avery Jayne Lathey; sisters-in-law, Barbara Lea, and Barbara Upshaw (Ron); and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate).