Obituary of James Rhinehart Ealey, Jr.

James Rinehart Ealey, Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 10, 1940.  He was the only child of James Ealey, Sr. and Gwendolyn Ealey.

Mr. Ealey graduated from Tennessee State University in 1966 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Beta Omicron Chapter, at Tennessee State University.   After graduating college, he moved to Washington, DC, to work for the Department of Defense.  He served with distinction at the Navy Sea System Command for many years and received numerous accolades and awards for his contributions in engineering.  For many years, he was an active member and leader of the D.C Chapter of the Tennessee State Alumni Association. 

Mr. Ealey was a devoted member of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, where he served faithfully.  He was a beloved and well-respected Church School teacher, having once served as Acting Superintendent.  He truly loved working in the Church and Church School; his service will be greatly missed.

Mr. James Ealey departed this life on August 11, 2021, at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.

He lived to love, and he cherished many wonderful memories of his family and friends. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Barbara, for 56 years. They have two children, Tiffany Shepard and James Muhammad; three grandchildren: Danielle, Tamia, and Destiny (Kevin Paige); two great-grand-children: Elaiya and Peyton.  Close family cousins: Linda Smith, Gerad Smith (Gina), the Ealey, Madden, and Miller families and many other families and friends who will miss him and cherish his memories.