Stanley E. Lea

Stanley E. Lea born April 5, 1930 in Joplin, Missouri to Everette G. and Edna F. Lea passed away peacefully on June 7, 2017 in Tyler, Texas. He is survived by his beloved wife Ruth L. Lea of Tyler, his daughter Kristy Christensen, son in law John Christensen, his son Kelly B. Lea and daughter in law Laura Lea, daughter in law Elizabeth Lea, granddaughters, Rachel Christensen, Audrey Christensen, Kelsey Lea and Karley Lea. He is preceded in death by his parents Everette and Edna Lea, in laws Jack and Pearl Lowe, and son S. Kraig Lea. He graduated with a B.F.A. from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas and received an M.F.A. from University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was a professor of art at Sam Houston State University for 33 years. He started the University’s printmaking program. He was a well-known and respected artist best known for pioneering experimental print making techniques related to viscosity printing, also known as calligraphy prints. Stanley once said, “I did teaching for a living. My true desire was to be an artist.” He exhibited his works in numerous galleries and museums, including Valley House Gallery in Dallas, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Sol Del Rio Gallery, San Antonio, and Laguna Gloria Museum, Austin. Several galleries in Houston, Dubose Gallery, Ars Longa Gallery, Moody Gallery and most recently in the William Reaves Sarah Foltz Fine Arts Gallery. Stanley received numerous honors for his work. His work is displayed all over the world from Huntsville to the Louvre in Paris. His work can be found in museums across the United States and Internationally, including the Smithsonian Museum of America Art, Washington D. C., De Young Fine Arts Museum in San Francisco, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Utah, British Museum, London and Instituto of Mexicoano Norteamericana de Relationes, Mexico City. Stanley will be remembered as a great man, loving and devoted husband to his wife of 66 years, extraordinary father to Kristy, Kraig and Kelly and caring grandfather to Rachel, Audrey, Kelsey and Karley. He had a tremendous love for animals, horses and dogs, especially English Sitters. We will always love you, Stanley, and will miss you but we know you will always be with us. We know through your spiritual devotion you are now in God’s loving hands. The celebration of his life will be June 17, 2017 at 10:00 am at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas. His burial will follow at the Mayes addition of Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville. In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations to the Stanley E. and Ruth Lea Endowment and Scholarship Fund at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, or HomePlace of The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, Texas 75701. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com

Stanley E. Lea

April 5, 1930 - June 7, 2017