Early in the morning of September 13, 2014, Rex passed away of natural causes at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Montana. He was a youthful 90 years of age.
Rex L. Carey was born on May 25, 1924 in Duchesne, Utah to Clinton and Belle Carey. He spent his early years on the family ranch, the Square DL, near Fruitland, Utah. After his father’s untimely death the family returned to Wisconsin to live with Belle’s brother Ray on the family homestead near Redgranite. Uncle Ray raised dairy cows and Rex and his brother, Thain, would bring the cows in from the pastures for milking.
Rex’s mother remarried in 1931 and the family moved to Indiana Harbor, Indiana. During the summer Rex and Thain would swim in Lake Michigan or at the city pool. The family traveled frequently throughout the Midwest, including trips to Yellowstone Park and Christmas vacations in Florida.
Rex’s mother died August 8, 1935. Rex and his brother once again returned to Redgranite to live with family. Rex lived with his mother’s sister, Aunt Abbie, who was already caring for his cousins Guy Leslie and Phyllis. Rex attended elementary and high school in Redgranite. After graduation Rex enrolled at the University of Wisconsin and completed one semester before enlisting and serving with the 14th Army Air Corps, 5th Radio Squadron Mobile, in the China-Burma-India Theater.
Rex’s Basic training was in Saint Petersburg, Florida. His unit specialized in radio communications and the training of other personnel in sending coded messages. Following a long trip by troop ship his unit finally reached their destination of Assam India. While in India the Japanese-Americans in the unit monitored and translated Japanese radio communications, the information was analyzed, coded, and communicated to the fighting units. Rex was in India for three months before being dispatched by C46 (cargo plane) over the Burma Hump (the Himalayan mountains) to Kunming China where he was stationed for fifteen months. He was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corp at Camp McCoy Sparta, Wisconsin.
On the first day of Spring, March 21, 1946, Rex proposed to Donna Martin. He and Donna had known each other since grade school; she lived just down the street. Thankfully for us, she accepted and they tied the knot in Berlin Wisconsin on July, 1946. In the summer of 1948, the family moved to Madison, Wisconsin so Rex could continue his education at the University of Wisconsin. While attending school Rex worked various jobs, one of the more interesting was a parts inspector at the Harley Davidson plant.
Rex had been discharged from the military, but he was still in an inactive reserve status and he was recalled to active duty in 1950 for the Korean War. Even though he had only one semester remaining before graduation, he was assigned to Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. After completing his twelve month deployment he again returned to Madison to finish his last semester and graduated with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Soil Science.
Prior to graduation, Rex started searching for federal government job openings, throughout the United States, for soil scientist positions. He applied for a position with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) at Fort Yates, North Dakota on the Standing Rock Indian Agency. That was the beginning of his thirty year career with the Department of Interior, BIA. After completing his work assignment at Fort Yates, the family moved to Martin, South Dakota, Gordon and Valentine, Nebraska, and finally the BIA area office in Aberdeen, South Dakota. When Rex retired in 1980 he and Donna moved to the beautiful Big Sky State of Montana. They settled in Helena to enjoy the mountains, fishing streams, and to be close to family.
The true measure of a man is not in the status he attains or in the material wealth he accumulates, but in his character and the manner in which he treats his fellow human beings. The cornerstone of Rex’s character was his faith and his church family. He was morally upstanding, honest, and ethical throughout his entire life. Personally, he was humble, patient, kind, and nonjudgmental with every person he came into contact with. More than anything, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
Rex’s life was modeled after that of Jesus and he was never loud or pushy about his faith. Rather he demonstrated the life of Jesus, day in and day out, as he went about the practical things in his life, like making a living and raising a family. He loved God’s creation and enjoyed trout fishing, camping, photography, and hiking in the mountains. As a young man he would ski through the woods each winter in Wisconsin to feed the pheasants. Later in life he would go to the small weather station at Fort Yates each morning and evening. Rex would record the weather conditions for that day and at the end of the month send his reports to the National Weather Bureau. Rex was fascinated by nature and ecology. He believed that as a Christian he was to be a good steward of what God had provided for us on this earth. When he said grace at the dinner table each night, he always closed it by saying “forgive2 us of our sins and bless us in your service, Amen”. Rex was always God’s faithful servant and he has fulfilled his mission with his family, friends, and strangers. He is home with his Lord, who he has always loved.
Rex is survived by: his wife of sixty-eight years, Donna, Helena, Montana; daughter, Patricia and James Hyatt, Helena, Montana; son, Thomas and Erin Carey, Kelso, Washington; granddaughter, Abbey and family, Devils Lake, North Dakota; granddaughter, Trenie Kunke and family, Las Vegas, Nevada; grandson, Zachary Carey, Billings, Montana; and grandson, Joshua Carey, Portland, Oregon. There are also eight great grandchildren.
Rex’s memory would be well served by donations to his church home, First Presbyterian Church, 535 North Ewing Street, Helena, MT, 59601.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Butch and Pearle Plowman says
Dear Donna and family,
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Rex. We know that no words can express your deep sorrow at this time, but be assured that you are in our thoughts and prayers for strength and courage to carry on. Rex was a very special man and we will miss his presence here.
Jon and Lisa Axline says
I got to know Rex and Donna when they lived next door to my folks on Maple Street in Helena. Rex was a great guy and I always enjoyed visiting with him. He was quiet, unassuming and had a great sense of humor that I always appreciated. Unfortunately, I hadn’t seen Rex and Donna for a few years, but my wife and I often thought about them and hoped they were doing well. We will miss him.
Stephen Wallace says
Dear Donna and Pat,
I was sorry to read of Rex’s death. You and your family have my sympathy at this time of loss. Rex was a gentleman who will be missed. Sincerely, Stephen Wallace
Annie and Myrtle Murfitt says
Dear Donna and family,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss of dear Rex. We know he is in Heaven with Jesus:) Our prayers are for you, the ones left behind. Rex was a kind and gentle man and will be missed! Love and hugs, Myrtle and Annie
Linda and Mike Fomm says
Dear Carey family,
We are greatly saddened to hear of Rex’s passing, but as we say good-bye, we are celebrating his home coming into Heaven to live forever with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We know that, because of your faith in Christ and His death on the cross for you, and ALL those who believe, you will see him again in the glories of Heaven. May the Hope of the Resurrection comfort you in the days ahead. Remember the grace of our awesome God in your lives together as family.
Mike and Linda Fromm and family
Connie Bender says
Having never met Rex, I learned about him from his son, Tom, who I attended college with at Moorhead State in the late 60’s-early 70’s. Tom was a friend of Connie, Ginger, and Joan, who still get together after all of these years and wonder how Tom is doing in his life. We are sorry for your loss, and would love an update on the life of our dear college friend, Tom Carey. Please respond, Tom! We often talk about our good times with Tom and Tom, and hope that both of you and your families are happy and healthy!