Rex Walker age 98 of Kamas, Utah, passed away peacefully in his home on December 9th 2018.
He was born on January 1, 1920 in Santaquin, Utah to Basil Burrows and Florence Chadwick Walker. He was raised in Pleasant Grove, Utah where he worked side by side with his parents running the store and concession stand at Timpanogas Cave. His main job was to haul soda pop to the cave on the back of two donkeys. In between the work at the cave he helped the family with their small farm. He attended elementary and high school in Pleasant Grove where he participated in three sports, band and drama.
Following high school he attended Utah State University where he graduated with a degree in Geology and a Secondary Teaching Certificate. During this same time he asked Margaret Stark to be his wife and they were married in the Salt Lake temple on May 28th 1941. He served in the army during World War II and Margaret followed through his Officer's Candidate School in North Carolina and other training in El Paso Texas. He achieved the rank of 1st Lieutenant and served as an artillery officer and Commander of the army ship “RingGold” in the Panama Canal Zone.
After his release from the Army he and Margaret settled in Kamas, Utah where he remained the rest of his life.
Rex enjoyed teaching at South Summit High School and after five years of successful teaching was asked to be the principal at the elementary school. He served as the principal at South Summit Elementary for 27 years enjoying many wonderful associations with students and staff. During the summers he worked for the Forest Service and had 38 successful seasons with them, 12 of which were spent as the Recreational Guard in the High Uintas Wilderness area.
Rex was very active as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served 11 years on the High Council, 9 ½ years as a Bishop, 6 ½ years in the Stake Presidency, and 28 years as the active Stake Patriarch.
He also served as the mayor of Kamas from 1947 to 1949.
He is survived by his daughter Cheryl (Harvey) Hughett, two sons Barry (Diane) Walker and Garry (Cindy) Walker, daughter in law Kathy Walker and son in law Lynn Winterton, 29 grandchildren, 101 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years Margaret Stark Walker, daughter Carolyn Winterton, and son Rex J Walker.
The family expresses their deepest thanks to doctors Lisa Saturnino, Greg Iverson, nurses Marcene Littledike, Debra Johnson and all the employees of Encompass Home and Health Hospice.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday December 13th 2018 at the Kamas 2nd Ward Chapel, 100 West Center beginning at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held at the same location on December 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and one hour prior to the services on Thursday.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Humanitarian fund in memory of Rex Walker.