Rex Alfred Brown

Rex Alfred Brown, 96, passed away in the comfort of his own home on June 27, 2018, with his family around him. Rex was born December 1, 1921 to Charles and Lenna (Mayfield) Brown in Sayre, Oklahoma. After graduating from high school, Rex joined the Army Air Corps in 1940. He met his wife, Mildred (Hansen) Brown, while stationed at Lowry Field where he established and managed the Officers Club at night and was a Sgt. at Base HQ Supply by day. Not long after, he shipped out to England and served his country during WWII. After the war, Rex returned home and with the help of the GI Bill, he completed his education, graduating from The University of Nebraska with a BS in Education and went on to receive his Master of Arts from Colorado State College of Education. Rex worked for several years as an instructor in the AROTC before getting his own shot to become a cadet. He was chosen Outstanding Cadet and received his own commission in 1950. The family then moved to St. Louis, Missouri where Rex continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves and to teach at the high school level, retiring from the USAF with the rank of Major in 1967 and from teaching at Beaumont High School in 1983. He and his wife moved to Montrose, Colorado and built a home on the east end of the family ranch where the couple lived out the rest of their lives, traveling the world and ranching. Rex served as an elder for many decades in the churches he belonged to and was a founding board member of Westminster Christian Academy, also serving as the President of Covenant Christian School Board, both in St. Louis, Missouri.

Rex was horseback out of necessity for all of his childhood years, riding many miles to school every day rain or shine. He came of age in the Oklahoma dustbowl of the 1930’s. His family did not leave. Instead, he and his brother, Dalton, bought a small tractor and farmed every acre of land they could get their plow into, growing whatever survived and raising animals for food. While an NCO, Rex made a name for himself as an amateur boxer in Colorado and, later, in England. In his early retirement years, Rex became quite the entrepreneur as he at one time held more tax liens than any other entity in the entire State of Colorado.

Rex is survived by his son, Lee Brown of Waco,Texas; and his daughters, Donna Kenimer of Montrose, Colorado; Regina (Rodney) Jarboe of St. Louis; eight grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Lenna Brown; his seven siblings, his wife, Millie Brown; his son in-law, Keith Kenimer; and his grandson, Karl Kenimer.

Rex’s funeral and graveside burial service was held at Skyfire Ranch, on Sunday, July 1, 2018. Reception to followed after. Arrangements were under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home and Crematory. Donations can be made to Hope West or Welcome Home Montrose/Warrior Resource Center. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.crippinfuneralhome.com