Obituary for Michael Rex
On the afternoon of August 19th 2020 after a long battle with heart disease and interstitial lung disease, dad peacefully went home. He was the best father anyone could ever ask for. Loving, funny, brilliant, principled, hard working and dedicated. After overcoming a difficult childhood, he vowed he would always be there for his family. And he was! He and our mom Mary Cathleen Rex were happily married for 56 years and raised a beautiful family of 5, with 10 grandkids and counting!
Dad made a massive impact on all those who knew him. He served as a Navy Corpsman (“Doc”) with two tours in Vietnam. One on an Aircraft Carrier the other in the frontlines in the jungles with Marines. He was the only Corpsman he personally knew who made it back from the frontlines alive.
Finding his gift and passion for medicine, he went on to become one of the first Physician Assistants’ in America, graduating from USC. Working at Scripps Urgent Care until his early 70’s he always had the most interesting stories... and he was literally the best diagnostician ever. He built deep, long lasting relationships with his co-workers and patients.
As a deeply devoted Catholic he and mom were pioneers in Marriage Encounter, Eucharistic Ministers and he volunteered for decades at St. Vincent’s servicing the underprivileged.
Although Dad's last few months were difficult, his faith, family and friends comforted him. God surrounded us with signs and Angels at every step. Like Father Alex, who came the day before he passed to give him Confession, Communion and Last Rights. Afterwards dad said “I feel Spiritually healed, peaceful and have no fear of death.” We chose today for his burial because of dad’s devotion to Father Charles de Foucauld (see laminated prayer card).
Because of the Covid protocols, only one person could be with him at the very end. It was an honor for me to be there for him and hold his hand, as he had for me my entire life. It was one of the most difficult yet beautiful moments of my life.
Thank you for being here to pay your respects, especially under these crazy circumstances. Mom and the ‘Rex Clan’ are doing well and have been so touched by all the prayers, love and support. Our hope is that sometime soon, when restrictions ease, to have a celebration of life where we can gather, have a nice Mass, followed by a reception, break bread and tell stories and celebrate this special man who touched so many.
- Greg Rex on behalf of the Rex Family
Dad made a massive impact on all those who knew him. He served as a Navy Corpsman (“Doc”) with two tours in Vietnam. One on an Aircraft Carrier the other in the frontlines in the jungles with Marines. He was the only Corpsman he personally knew who made it back from the frontlines alive.
Finding his gift and passion for medicine, he went on to become one of the first Physician Assistants’ in America, graduating from USC. Working at Scripps Urgent Care until his early 70’s he always had the most interesting stories... and he was literally the best diagnostician ever. He built deep, long lasting relationships with his co-workers and patients.
As a deeply devoted Catholic he and mom were pioneers in Marriage Encounter, Eucharistic Ministers and he volunteered for decades at St. Vincent’s servicing the underprivileged.
Although Dad's last few months were difficult, his faith, family and friends comforted him. God surrounded us with signs and Angels at every step. Like Father Alex, who came the day before he passed to give him Confession, Communion and Last Rights. Afterwards dad said “I feel Spiritually healed, peaceful and have no fear of death.” We chose today for his burial because of dad’s devotion to Father Charles de Foucauld (see laminated prayer card).
Because of the Covid protocols, only one person could be with him at the very end. It was an honor for me to be there for him and hold his hand, as he had for me my entire life. It was one of the most difficult yet beautiful moments of my life.
Thank you for being here to pay your respects, especially under these crazy circumstances. Mom and the ‘Rex Clan’ are doing well and have been so touched by all the prayers, love and support. Our hope is that sometime soon, when restrictions ease, to have a celebration of life where we can gather, have a nice Mass, followed by a reception, break bread and tell stories and celebrate this special man who touched so many.
- Greg Rex on behalf of the Rex Family