James Earl Rex passed away suddenly July 7th, 2022. Jim was a lifelong Arizonan, who was born June 10, 1942 in Miami, AZ and raised in Safford. He participated in football and basketball while at Safford High School, graduating in 1960. He attended Eastern Arizona Junior College where he met his wife of 59 years, Jo Frew. After marrying in 1963, they moved Flagstaff to attend NAU. Jim graduated in 1966 with a degree in education. He moved his growing family to Marana, AZ, where he taught and coached for the next thirty plus years. Jim’s influence as a son, husband, father, Papa, teacher, mentor and friend has had a profound impact in the community and school district.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Lewis (Lou) g. Rex and Lola Gatlin Rex, and his sister Betty Lou Rex McNair.
He is survived by his wife, Jo Frew Rex; his son Craig Andrew Rex (Janet) of Lakeside, AZ and their sons, Zane and Carson; his daughter Kristen Rex Snyder (Bryan) of Tucson and their children, Shea, James, and Riley; and his older brother Alvin Rex (Sharon) of Tucson.
A celebration of life open house will be held at the Marana Middle School gym (11285 W. Grier Rd, Marana, AZ) on Saturday, July 23, at 1:00 pm.
Memorials may be made to the Marana Middle School Athletic Department through tax credit or a donation in his name: 520-682-3243; https://www.maranausd.org, or to Alpine School District 928-339-4570, https://alpineschools.org.
Cards may be sent to Jo Rex, PO Box 78, Alpine, AZ 85920.
