Dr. Lea’s Celebration of Life

Dr. Ronald Lea, a longtime resident and optometrist on Fort Myers Beach, passed away peacefully on December 24th, 2024. He was 88. His family will be hosting a celebration of life at 2PM Saturday, January 25th at 807 San Carlos Dr. 

Please RSVP to Cindy Richards via text at 239-340-2659 as food and drinks will be served. Bring your favorite “Ron stories” to share. Children are welcome.

Here is the full obiruary for Mr. Lea:

It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Ronald Ashley Lea (“Poppop”) of Fort Myers Beach on December 24th, 2024 at the age of 88. He passed away peacefully at Cypress Cove where his wife Barbara resides. Ron was hospitalized briefly prior to his passing.

Ron was born in Toledo, Ohio to Al and Jean Lea on June 19th, 1936. Ron is survived by his wife Barbara, his daughter Cindy Richards (Daniel), granddaughter Danielle Sinclair (Daniel), grandson Brandon Lea (Kelly) and grandson Christopher Richards. Ron also had three great grandchildren whom he adored: Stella, Kacey and Hallie.

Ron is predeceased by his son Robert, parents Al and Jean, sister Carol and twin brothers Garry and Larry. His family left the cold of Toledo while he was still in high school and moved to Fort Myers Beach where they purchased Silver Sands Cottages. The whole family took great pleasure in being on the water and Ron’s mother Jean, AKA Bonecrusher, was known to take guests on guided fishing trips. Ron graduated from Fort Myers High School and attended The University of Florida in Gainesville from which he received his bachelor of science degree. He met his wife Barbara while attending The College of Optometry in Memphis, where her family and parents, R.H. and Agnes Kinney resided. Ron was interning in Arcadia, Florida when he returned to Memphis to marry Barbara on December 6th, 1959. When his internship ended, he returned to Fort Myers Beach. Ron opened his first optometry office in a building where his cousin, Dr. William Weit, DDS, was already practicing. As Ron’s practice grew, he purchased a building on San Carlos Blvd., where his practice remained until 1990.

Ron and Barbara co-owned a farm off of Bass Road with their dear friends Fred and Mildred Snyder. They were known to throw outrageous parties there for all of their Beach friends. They also inherited a large piece of property with a rustic cabin in Arkansas from Barbara’s uncle, Bruce Kinney. It is a favorite destination for friends and family during deer and duck season. Ron absolutely loved it there! Barbara should’ve known what she was getting into when Ron took her duck hunting on their honeymoon.

Ron had an extraordinary love for life. His passions included his family, friends, hunting, fishing and lobstering. He traveled far and wide for fishing tournaments and hunting excursions. Many of his close friends that he shared these trips with (Ron Stutzman, Bill Semmer, Lou Fodor, Dick Haskins, Joe McClure and Bob Pelton) have already passed. He enjoyed traveling by motorhome with his family and friends every summer, exploring Canada and Alaska but mostly the western states including Colorado and Wyoming.

When Ron’s grandchildren came along, they too, got to share in these wonderful

adventures. Fort Wilderness at Disney World was one of the family’s favorite places to go. They also took phenomenal cruises to the Panama Canal, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Belize. 

There wasn’t a day that went by that Ron didn’t savor each experience that came his way. He lived a life full of joy and adventure and was able to make the most of his time on earth. There is comfort in knowing that Ron and some of his best companions threw a heck of a party the night he arrived at those Pearly Gates.

Arrangements were handled by Fort Myers Memorial Gardens. Ron’s family will be hosting a Celebration of Life at 2:00 PM on January 25th, 2025 at 807 San Carlos Dr. Food and drinks with be served and children are welcome. Please bring your favorite “Ron stories” to share.