Oscar Grant Rex Sr., 75

Oscar Grant Rex Sr., 75, passed away at his home on July 4, 2018.

Oscar was born in Spokane, Wash., on Oct. 26, 1942, to Floyd and Esther Rex.

He and his parents moved from Spokane to Cocollala, Idaho, in the spring of 1957 where they purchased and operated the Cocollala Store and post office; his mother, Esther, being the postmistress until they retired in May 1978.

Oscar attended high school in Sandpoint, Idaho, where he met the love of his life, Sharron Anne (Sims) Rex.

In June 1960, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as an aviation structural mechanic on the USS Bon-homme Richard until January 1963.

In October 1960, he and Sharron were married in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They eventually settled in Kootenai, Idaho, where they raised five children and lived the last 46 years of their lives together until she was taken home in August 2018.

Upon leaving the Navy, Oscar worked a few small jobs until making a career as a certified lumber grader for many years. Later in life, he worked for Merwin’s Hardware in Sandpoint, Lignetics in Ponderay, Idaho, Arnie’s in Kootenai, and lastly, retired from a janitor position with Lake Pend Oreille School District in October 2011, to take care of his wife at home after she suffered a stroke.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and his dogs later in life and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and boating with family and friends during his younger years.

Oscar is survived by his five children, Oscar Grant Rex Jr. of McKenna, Wash., Donald Mark (Margaret) Rex of Genesee, Idaho, Cindy Lou (Rex) Reed of Sagle, Idaho, Debbie Lynn (Rex) Ozbun of Sandpoint, and Floyd “Kip” Wilbur (Jennifer) Rex of Athol, Idaho; nine grandchildren, Brandon Rex, Bridget Warner-Hall, Amanda Gardner, Elisa Deimler, Torin Ozbun, Taylor Hawks, Joseph Mancuso, Jesse Mancuso, and Kimberly Lucas; as well as 17 great-grandchildren, and several neices and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his infant sister Mamie Lou (1932), his beloved wife, Sharron Anne (Sims) Rex; a grandson, LJ Smith; and a nephew, Scott Loos.