LAFAYETTE, La. (Sept. 20, 2005) — Thomas Norman “Norm” Rhea, longtime executive director of the Louisiana Independent Tire Dealers Association (LITDA), died March 20 after a brief illness. He was 78.
Mr. Rhea, a native of Memphis, Tenn., and 52-year veteran of the tire industry, was LITDA executive director from 1989 to 2003. He sold tires for U.S. Royal Tire Co. for 37 years before retiring in 1986.
He also served in the U.S. Navy and was awarded a Purple Heart.
He is survived by his wife Ruby Bernice Greer Rhea; two daughters and sons-in-law, Connie Rhea and husband Jerry Steward and Linda Rhea and husband Marvin Turner; brother, Joseph Richard “Rip” Rhea; and four grandchildren.