In the early morning hours of Friday, June 12, 2026 heaven gained a special angel in Lawrence “Whitey” Elam Reath Jr. After battling illnesses for the past four months at Ben Hur Nursing and Health facility, Whitey passed away at the age of 85.
He was born on April 5, 1941. Whitey was a well-recognized athlete during his high school years at Alamo High School in basketball and baseball. In basketball, Whitey is Alamo’s all-time leading scorer with 1,030 points which garnished him a scholarship to be a Ute at the University of Utah.
Fate had something else in mind as he met his high school sweetheart, Linda Kay Guinn. She was a Linden High School graduate saying yes and becoming his wife of 65 years. Their marriage was truly a perfect union. They did everything together which included golfing, trips of vacation, bicycle riding and many other activities until their family expanded. Their focus was then directed to their son Michael and daughter Tracy.
As many of you know reading this, Whitey’s next love after family was his Chicago Cubs, Purdue Boilermakers and the Queen of Bluegrass Rhonda Vincent. His only attire involved one of those three mentioned T-shirts/jackets/sweats. As a youngster, Whitey would skip school on many occasions to listen to his Cubs on the radio in his Alamo home. Many trips were driven with his son to the Cathedral in West Lafayette to watch their Boilermaker games.
When it came to Rhonda Vincent, there may be a larger fan somewhere, but that is highly doubtful. Whitey and Linda attended more than 100 concerts of this bluegrass queen and member of the Grand Ole Opry. Many believed that Rhonda was adopted and became Mike and Tracy’s stepsister. One of Whitey’s biggest thrills was watching Rhonda’s tour bus pulling up in front of their Crawfordsville home before a performance at the Strawberry Festival. Fun times were had by those who attended with a backyard barbecue followed by some pickin’ and grinnin’ before the festival.
With the black and gold attire in his closet, Whitey and Linda would spend their time, not in concert halls, but at every softball, baseball or football field or gym around central Indiana watching their great-grandchildren and favorite Avon Orioles. Whitey and Linda would not miss those opportunities until their health declined keeping them from attending.
Whitey was preceded in death by parents, Lawrence Sr. and Lucy of Alamo; son Allen; brother Les; and great-grandson Edison.
He is survived by wife Linda; son Michael (Pam) Reath of Ellettsville; daughter Tracy (Junior) Hargis of Crawfordsville; brother-in-law Phil Guinn of South Carolina; grandsons, Zach (Amanda) Reath of Indianapolis and Daniel Hargis of Crawfordsville; granddaughters, Kelsey (Sam) Penrod of Avon and Mackenzie Reath of Louisville; and great-grandchildren, Kaydence Penrod of Canada, Rylee Marvel, Brennyn Penrod, Coralyse Penrod and Zahkhye Penrod, all of Avon; and great-grandson Deklen Reath of Louisville. Many cousins still reside in or around the Montgomery County area.
Funeral services will be conducted at a later date at the graveside in Linden. A graveside memorial will be conducted as Whitey will be cremated. His ashes will be sprinkled on his son’s grave and the rest placed inside the headstone of his and Linda’s. Details will be available when that time arrives. Burkhart Funeral Home is assisting the family.
