Timothy Maurice Lea

Timothy Maurice Lea was born on January 6, 1968, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Milton and Eaver Mae Lea. Tim, as he was affectionately known, was welcomed into God’s loving arms on December 4, 2024, in Sacramento, California, at the age of 56.

Tim was a shining light, and that light transformed the lives of everyone who knew him. He was an admired friend and respected mentor who brought a bounty of love to everything he did. He loved to laugh, had an impeccable work ethic, and a remarkable ability to connect and share himself with everyone he met.

He received his formal education in the Milwaukee Public School System and graduated from Hamilton High School, Class of 1986. After high school, Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Concordia University, where he later became employed. While studying at Concordia University, Tim was a valued member of the school’s football team and was inducted into the Concordia University Football Hall of Fame. He thirsted for knowledge and earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies at the U.S. Naval War College and completed the Key Executive Leadership Program at American University in Washington, DC.

Tim retired from the United States Secret Service (USSS) in 2018 after a more than twenty-year career in federal law enforcement. He held numerous positions, including Special Agent in Charge, Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge in the Dignitary Protective Division, Presidential Protective Division, and Detail Leader for former National Security Adviser Susan Rice. Some of Tim’s proudest moments with the USSS include serving during the 2008 Inauguration of President Barack H. Obama and receiving the Key to the City of Cleveland from Mayor Frank G. Jackson in 2016 for his role in assisting with the coordination of nearly 7,000 personnel during a National Special Security Event.

Upon his retirement from the USSS, Tim accepted the role of Vice President for Security Operations for the Sacramento Kings. In this role, Tim oversaw the enterprise security of the Sacramento Kings Organization, the Sacramento Kings NBA basketball team, and the Golden 1 Center, a multi-functional sports and entertainment complex.

Many friends, national figures, and family members inspired Tim and served as role models, but Tim credited his mother for his accomplishments. Her steadfast determination to guide her family taught him to be resilient when faced with challenges, contemplative when he felt dismayed, and, most importantly, humble.

What Tim cherished most was spending time with family, relaxing and traveling with his wife, Eulonda, celebrating, gathering for holidays, and comforting his family during times of need. Tim was a family man with a strong faith in God and developed lasting bonds across multiple generations. Tim always lit up the room and was a true lover of life: a humorous storyteller, avid reader, fitness enthusiast, determined backyard gardener, and a dedicated sports fan. He was a facilitator, a voice of reason, a loyal friend, a giver, and an all-around good guy. He was one of a kind and will live in our hearts forever.

He leaves to cherish and rejoice in his memory, loving wife Eulonda, children Victoria and Derek; beloved pets, Coco and Winston; brothers Milton Jr. and Torrey (Kai); and sisters, Imogene, Lorraine (Sage), Sonya, Connie (Jeff), Wendy, Dionne (Keith); and niece Cara, who Tim revered as a sister. He also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Tim is preceded in death by his sister Patricia, father, Milton Lea Sr., sister Vanessa, mother Eaver Mae, and brother Howard.   

Visitation from 9:00 AM – 10:45 AM, followed by a service at 11:00 AM, on Friday, December 20, 2024 at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin. Interment at Lincoln Memorial Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Prostate Cancer Foundation

Prostate Cancer Foundation in Memory of Timothy M. Lea

-OR-

Milton & Eaver Mae Lea Endowment

Concordia University

12800 N. Lake Shore Drive

Mequon, WI 53097

Milton & Eaver Mae Lea Endowment Fund – CU