My brave, beloved Rex fought many battles in 66 years. I’m sad to let my readers know that Rex passed away as a result of bladder cancer on December 9, 2010. Read here the obituary I wrote with love that surpasses understanding. You can sign the guest book at the web link at the bottom. Thanks, dear friends, for being with me at this time.
Durwood “Rex” Ross Jr.
Rex Ross: New Zealand
Watkinsville – Durwood “Rex” Ross, Jr., 66, of Watkinsville, died December 9, 2010. He was born December 7, 1944, in Des Moines, Iowa, to the late Mary Elizabeth Sonneborn Ross and Durwood Rex Ross, Sr. Rex is survived by his beloved wife, Sally Hudson Ross; brother, Steve Ross, and his wife, Sue, of Findlay, Ohio; as well as uncles, cousins, and hundreds of priceless friends–most notably, Ted and Dee Edwards of Las Vegas, Nev.
Rex served his country in the U.S. Army. He graduated from Office Candidate School, Ranger School, and both Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing Flight Schools. He served in Vietnam from 1968-69, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor, the Bronze Star for Valor, and 38 Air Medals. From 1969-1972, he was Air Field Commander and Aide-de-Camp in Germany, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain.
In Iowa, Rex owned grain elevators before returning to college to study Computer Information Systems. He was a computer analyst and IT manager in Iowa and later, Georgia, until his retirement from Stepan Chemical in Winder.
Rex was adored within many communities of friends. He is respected by all for his bravery, perseverance, abounding love, big voice, hearty laugh, generous council, and passion for golf, travel, and his wife’s fine art photography. On oxygen for six years, and dying of emphysema, Rex received a double lung transplant at the McKelvey Lung Transplant Center at Emory University in 2005*. Since that time, he snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, drove a camper van throughout New Zealand, fell in love with Tasmania, played in the snow at Zion National Park, ate tons of lobster in Maine, played the Old Course in St. Andrews (and many others, including Jennings Mill), and spent precious hours playing with and cooking incredible meals for relatives and friends. His heart was in Dornoch and the Scottish Highlands, where he and Sally made every day a romp, an adventure of discovery, awe, and capturing the light with their cameras.
A memorial service was held on Monday, December 13, 2010, at Rex’s church, Oconee Presbyterian, 2601 Hog Mountain Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677. Rex was interred at South Lawn Cemetery, Coshocton, Ohio–his wife’s hometown. In lieu of flowers, the family invites friends to make donations in Rex’s name to Oconee Presbyterian Church, the Mason House at Emory University (a home for transplant recipients and their families, 1555 Shoup Ct., Decatur, GA 30033), or the Cancer Foundation of Northeast Georgia (P.O. Box 49309, Athens, GA 30604). Also, please, donate life. Be an organ donor.
Lord and Stephens West, Athens, is in charge of arrangements.
* NOTE: Transplant date is incorrect in the newspaper obituary. The correct date is May 20, 2005. Obituary published in Athens Banner-Herald on December 12, 2010. See and feel free to sign guest book at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/onlineathens/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=147095036
Rex, Tybee Island
Rex & Sally, Maine 2009
