Elmer Franklin Lea, Jr. 

(Frank, Butch, "Stogie")

Nicknames cannot begin to describe the life of our "Big Brother"... Frank Lea

Frank gained his Angel Wings on the afternoon of October 28, 2026, following a valiant and fully lived life. A resident of South Covington, he was a man who loved the outdoors and people!

Frank's love of the outdoors began in childhood, with fishing and hunting trips led by our dad, Elmer Sr., and our maternal grandfather, Fred Tebelman. We often came home from school to find Grandpa's 1957 Chevy parked outside, signaling an afternoon of fishing or hunting squirrels and rabbits in the woods behind our home. Frank treasured the .410 shotgun our father gave him as a boy and kept it all these years.

He was also passionate about sports. A 1964 graduate of Simon Kenton High School, "Butch" as he was known then, excelled at sports playing in Knothole leagues and for the SK Pioneers in both baseball and basketball. He furthered his love of baseball by advancing to American Legion play and truly cherished the game's camaraderie and the "crack of the bat." We recall many years of dinners at the dining room table hearing how he got to play at the old Crosley Field!

Frank attended Eastern Kentucky University and went on to enter the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves being stationed and training at Camp Pendleton, California. 

He began a career in sales and management, where his "Gift of Gab" and ease with people helped him excel. He never met a stranger. His natural sales talent and love of sports led him into several business ventures: owning and operating two independent sporting goods stores in Central Kentucky, leasing and managing the Williamstown Marina, and co-owning a motorcycle specialty store in Northern Kentucky.

Frank's passion for bass fishing grew during college, and within a few years he joined the BASS Pro Fishing Circuit as a professional angler. With two Ranger Bass boats bearing his sponsors names, he traveled across the Midwest and Southeast, competing in and winning BASS Master Classic competitions.

In his 40s and 50s, Frank discovered a new passion: Harley-Davidson motorcycles. His enthusiasm led him to own several motorcycles and enter a business partnership. 

Not one to sit still after retirement, Frank began a final career as a professional chauffeur, driving corporate and entertainment professionals throughout Greater Cincinnati. He built relationships with several clients, many of whom regularly requested him as their driver.

Throughout his middle to senior years Frank could be found with a well-appointed cigar on his person. Thus, the nickname "Stogie" was born! 

Frank enjoyed life's simple pleasures and will be remembered for his warmth, lively conversation and connection with others.

He was the son of the late Elmer and Mildred (Tebelman) Lea and is survived by a son, Aaron of Riverside, California; sister, Nancy O'Brien of Independence; and "Little Brother" David of South Covington.

In keeping with his wishes, services will be held at the family's convenience with interment at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Taylor Mill.

P.S.    Frank's favorite food group was Cincinnati Style Chili! Please feel free to raise a Cheese Coney in his honor!