Hello, my name is Jonathan “John” Rea. My Dad was Harold Craig Rea, most everyone in Mitchell county especially the Bakersville area knew my Dad from cooking at there favorite restaurants. Everyone seemed to enjoy his southern down home cooking style, and always made a point to speak to him before leaving the restaurant. Unfortunately Wednesday 9/10/25 Craig passed away due to complications from health. He was 63, Craig had a pretty traumatic experience through Hurricane Helene, as most did in WNC. He was trapped in his Mobile home during the storm unable to escape, riding out the storm in 6+ feet of rising water. Once we where able to get to him he was so exhausted and weak, he was flown to Catawba County via a Military helicopter and placed on a Vent three different times, he spent weeks in a hospital setting and had to go to a rehabilitation center in yancey county to attempt to get his strength and stability back. Unfortunately he never fully recovered from the health issues from Helene. Im not one to ask for assistance, those who know me in the county know this, im a Volunteer Firefighter I’ve served the county for 15+ years. I enjoy helping others, I get that from my Dad. Now I’m in a position to have to ask for help to pay for a funeral I never wanted to see come.

Any and all donations will be appreciated, all will go the the funeral expenses which total $7,450

Thank you for your Support