Rex R. Don was born on May 20, 1924, in Lusk, Wyo., to Rudy and Jessie Don.
He grew up on the family homestead and never lost his love for the wide-open sky and rock-strewn hills of Wyoming. During World War II, he served as an Army medic with the Cannon Company, 291st Infantry. He arrived in Central Europe in November 1944 and saw action in the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944. He returned to the U.S. in February 1946, and on April 18, 1946, he married his sweetheart, Mary Alice Kern, of Poseyville, Ind., in Evansville.
In 1951, he graduated from Evansville College with a degree in business with the help of the GI Bill and several part-time jobs to support his growing family. For 40 years, he enjoyed his Tri-State customers and colleagues in retail sales, primarily at The Luggage Shop. He was a long-time member of Union United Church of Christ, where he served as church school teacher, deacon, building committee chair and moderator.
In retirement, he repaired leather goods of all kinds, enjoyed a cinnamon roll and coffee with his Donut Bank (Washington and Weinbach) family almost every morning, and dined frequently in the evening with his wife and friends at the Carousel Restaurant. His passions included cheering for the University of Evansville Purple Aces basketball team; bowling with the Tuesday night Commercial League at Willow Lanes with friends and his son, Dennis; working with his beautiful roses; and reading and playing games, especially chess and Scrabble. In recent years he enjoyed many visits with his brother, Michael, from Oregon, and was able to visit his beloved Wyoming and also to make some special trips with his wife, Mary. He attended recitals, ballgames, performances and graduations of his grandchildren, always eager to support them all in their many endeavors.
In an essay written in the fourth grade, his youngest grandson, Nick, wrote: "When I grow up, I hope I can be like my Grandpa. He is my hero because he is always there for me." Above all, Rex demonstrated his unconditional love for family and friends by always being there for them with a helping hand, humor, a positive outlook, kindness and compassion. He had infinite patience and wisdom and modeled daily his belief that "Happiness is found in your own backyard."
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Deaconess Hospice Care, especially to Jim, Diane and Debbie, for their care and compassion.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph Patrick and Jessie Adella (nee Eaton) Don of Oregon City, Ore.
He grew up on the family homestead and never lost his love for the wide-open sky and rock-strewn hills of Wyoming. During World War II, he served as an Army medic with the Cannon Company, 291st Infantry. He arrived in Central Europe in November 1944 and saw action in the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944. He returned to the U.S. in February 1946, and on April 18, 1946, he married his sweetheart, Mary Alice Kern, of Poseyville, Ind., in Evansville.
In 1951, he graduated from Evansville College with a degree in business with the help of the GI Bill and several part-time jobs to support his growing family. For 40 years, he enjoyed his Tri-State customers and colleagues in retail sales, primarily at The Luggage Shop. He was a long-time member of Union United Church of Christ, where he served as church school teacher, deacon, building committee chair and moderator.
In retirement, he repaired leather goods of all kinds, enjoyed a cinnamon roll and coffee with his Donut Bank (Washington and Weinbach) family almost every morning, and dined frequently in the evening with his wife and friends at the Carousel Restaurant. His passions included cheering for the University of Evansville Purple Aces basketball team; bowling with the Tuesday night Commercial League at Willow Lanes with friends and his son, Dennis; working with his beautiful roses; and reading and playing games, especially chess and Scrabble. In recent years he enjoyed many visits with his brother, Michael, from Oregon, and was able to visit his beloved Wyoming and also to make some special trips with his wife, Mary. He attended recitals, ballgames, performances and graduations of his grandchildren, always eager to support them all in their many endeavors.
In an essay written in the fourth grade, his youngest grandson, Nick, wrote: "When I grow up, I hope I can be like my Grandpa. He is my hero because he is always there for me." Above all, Rex demonstrated his unconditional love for family and friends by always being there for them with a helping hand, humor, a positive outlook, kindness and compassion. He had infinite patience and wisdom and modeled daily his belief that "Happiness is found in your own backyard."
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Deaconess Hospice Care, especially to Jim, Diane and Debbie, for their care and compassion.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph Patrick and Jessie Adella (nee Eaton) Don of Oregon City, Ore.
Rex R. Don was born on May 20, 1924, in Lusk, Wyo., to Rudy and Jessie Don.
He grew up on the family homestead and never lost his love for the wide-open sky and rock-strewn hills of Wyoming. During World War II, he served as an Army medic with the Cannon Company, 291st Infantry. He arrived in Central Europe in November 1944 and saw action in the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944. He returned to the U.S. in February 1946, and on April 18, 1946, he married his sweetheart, Mary Alice Kern, of Poseyville, Ind., in Evansville.
In 1951, he graduated from Evansville College with a degree in business with the help of the GI Bill and several part-time jobs to support his growing family. For 40 years, he enjoyed his Tri-State customers and colleagues in retail sales, primarily at The Luggage Shop. He was a long-time member of Union United Church of Christ, where he served as church school teacher, deacon, building committee chair and moderator.
In retirement, he repaired leather goods of all kinds, enjoyed a cinnamon roll and coffee with his Donut Bank (Washington and Weinbach) family almost every morning, and dined frequently in the evening with his wife and friends at the Carousel Restaurant. His passions included cheering for the University of Evansville Purple Aces basketball team; bowling with the Tuesday night Commercial League at Willow Lanes with friends and his son, Dennis; working with his beautiful roses; and reading and playing games, especially chess and Scrabble. In recent years he enjoyed many visits with his brother, Michael, from Oregon, and was able to visit his beloved Wyoming and also to make some special trips with his wife, Mary. He attended recitals, ballgames, performances and graduations of his grandchildren, always eager to support them all in their many endeavors.
In an essay written in the fourth grade, his youngest grandson, Nick, wrote: "When I grow up, I hope I can be like my Grandpa. He is my hero because he is always there for me." Above all, Rex demonstrated his unconditional love for family and friends by always being there for them with a helping hand, humor, a positive outlook, kindness and compassion. He had infinite patience and wisdom and modeled daily his belief that "Happiness is found in your own backyard."
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Deaconess Hospice Care, especially to Jim, Diane and Debbie, for their care and compassion.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph Patrick and Jessie Adella (nee Eaton) Don of Oregon City, Ore.
He grew up on the family homestead and never lost his love for the wide-open sky and rock-strewn hills of Wyoming. During World War II, he served as an Army medic with the Cannon Company, 291st Infantry. He arrived in Central Europe in November 1944 and saw action in the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944. He returned to the U.S. in February 1946, and on April 18, 1946, he married his sweetheart, Mary Alice Kern, of Poseyville, Ind., in Evansville.
In 1951, he graduated from Evansville College with a degree in business with the help of the GI Bill and several part-time jobs to support his growing family. For 40 years, he enjoyed his Tri-State customers and colleagues in retail sales, primarily at The Luggage Shop. He was a long-time member of Union United Church of Christ, where he served as church school teacher, deacon, building committee chair and moderator.
In retirement, he repaired leather goods of all kinds, enjoyed a cinnamon roll and coffee with his Donut Bank (Washington and Weinbach) family almost every morning, and dined frequently in the evening with his wife and friends at the Carousel Restaurant. His passions included cheering for the University of Evansville Purple Aces basketball team; bowling with the Tuesday night Commercial League at Willow Lanes with friends and his son, Dennis; working with his beautiful roses; and reading and playing games, especially chess and Scrabble. In recent years he enjoyed many visits with his brother, Michael, from Oregon, and was able to visit his beloved Wyoming and also to make some special trips with his wife, Mary. He attended recitals, ballgames, performances and graduations of his grandchildren, always eager to support them all in their many endeavors.
In an essay written in the fourth grade, his youngest grandson, Nick, wrote: "When I grow up, I hope I can be like my Grandpa. He is my hero because he is always there for me." Above all, Rex demonstrated his unconditional love for family and friends by always being there for them with a helping hand, humor, a positive outlook, kindness and compassion. He had infinite patience and wisdom and modeled daily his belief that "Happiness is found in your own backyard."
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Deaconess Hospice Care, especially to Jim, Diane and Debbie, for their care and compassion.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph Patrick and Jessie Adella (nee Eaton) Don of Oregon City, Ore.
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