CONWAY — Dustin Lea
passed away January 9, 2022, at the age of 38. He was born January 12, 1983, in Dyersburg, Tenn., to parents Mona and Ed Lea.
He lived in Conway, Ark., from the age of seven, where he was a graduate of Conway High School in 2001, and attended the University of Central Arkansas. He also attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Conway.
Dustin was a big fan of many sports. Among his favorites were the Arkansas Razorback baseball and basketball teams. Although he participated in many sports as a youth, his favorite was soccer.
He loved nature and the outdoors, especially taking hikes with his dog and fishing on the Buffalo River. He loved to cook, trying new and different recipes with unusual ingredients and spices to experience the tastes from different parts of the world. He was an avid reader and loved books and stories of all kinds. Dustin was employed at Tokusen USA, Inc. in Conway.
He is survived by his parents, Mona and Ed Lea of Conway; his sisters, Shay (Gerrit) Gerritsen of Prosper, Texas, and Whitney (Wink) Moreland of El Dorado, Ark.; his grandmother, Jewel Deane Lea of Arkadelphia, Ark.; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Dustin was a cherished Uncle Buddy to his surviving nieces, Price Gerritsen and Journey Moreland; and nephews, Reed Gerritsen, Rhett Gerritsen, and Miles Moreland. He will be greatly missed by all those who loved him, and especially by his beloved, faithful dog friend, Liza Jane.
Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 15th, at First United Methodist Church in Conway. In keeping with his style, please dress casually, if possible, with your favorite sports team’s shirt and jeans.
Service will also be available online at: First United Methodist Church, Conway, Ark., facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Ozark Mission Project in care of First United Methodist Church in Conway or the Buffalo River Foundation at https://buffaloriverfoundation.org.