Biography

Thomas Henry Rea was born May 2, 1898, To John Thomas Rea and Nellie Thurman Rea in Nebraska. He owned and operated the Elm Motel in Chico at the time of his death on April 2, 1957. When he was 16 year old he moved to Los Angeles from Nebraska. Two year later he started working for the Hal Roach, Fox Studios and Universal Studios as a trick-photographer. He held that position for the next seven years, at which time he went into construction work, and until moving to Chico, had been a building contractor in Los Angeles. He was a Mason and a member of Hollywood Lodge No. 355 F. & A. M. and was also a member of the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, No. 77 of Paradise, California. He build the Elm Motel in 1946 and operated until his death. He was entombed in the Chico Mausoleum.
- IMDb mini biography by: Kevin Scott Rea

Brother of actress Marvel Rea.