Rex Eugene Wagner was born September 15, 1933 in Wray, Colorado to Roscoe and Vilda (Eastin) Wagner, the third of eight children. Rex began school at the Star School near Wray, and as the family moved following Roscoe’s employment, he attended schools in Wray, Fleming, Sedgwick, and Haxtun before graduating from Sterling High School in 1951. Rex loved sports of all kinds, and was always involved in athletics wherever he was going to school. He played football at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling for one season, maybe one of the smallest college football players in history.
One of Rex’s greatest memories was performing the National Anthem at the State FFA Convention when he was in high school. That was just one of many times he shared his wonderful voice with others. In his last few days, while in the hospital, he was serenading the nursing staff in his sleep.
Rex enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952, serving as a weatherman in Korea and at White Sands Army base in New Mexico. He returned to his home in Iliff, and met the love of his life, Rosalie Foppe. After a courtship of just a few weeks, they married on September 9, 1956 - a union that would last 67 years. They were the parents of three children, Annette, Eugene and Daryl.
Rex worked as a farm laborer, and the family moved often in their early years, living in Wiggins, Prospect Valley, Brewster, Kansas, and Merino, before returning to Sterling. While in Sterling, Rex held various jobs in town, but he missed the farm. In 1977, they moved to Wray, where they remained until his passing.
No matter where they lived, Rex was playing softball. He played softball until he was 70 years old. If he wasn’t playing softball, he was watching generations of Wray Eagle athletes play ball. He loved nothing more than watching those young men and women, as well as his own children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in their athletic competitions. The Wray Booster Club named him their Booster of the Year several years ago.
After retiring, Rex became a golfer. He could be found on the golf course several times a week until the pain of arthritis ended that when he was 88. He loved the men he golfed with in league, and considered them some of his dearest friends. He complained that he was probably more of a liability than a help to his team, but he loved the time with friends and threatened to quit for many years before he actually did.
The last few years, Rex and Rose could be found at either the Riverside or the Wray Cafe every morning having coffee with friends. They treasured those mornings, and only very recently did Rex ever miss being there. Coffee was frequently followed by drives around Wray and out into the country.
Rex is survived by his wife, Rosalie; his children, Annette Bowin and husband Daryl, of Akron, Eugene and wife Vicki of Yuma, and Daryl and wife Kendra of North Platte, Nebraska; his grandchildren, Andy Bowin and wife Christine, Dallas Bowin and wife Jennie, Kim DuPont and husband Jeff, Tony Davis, Kari Brauer and husband Colin, Kayla Bailey and husband Mike, Lauren Wagner and fiancé Brandon Hanlon-Hernandez, and Matthew Wagner; 12 great grandchildren; his siblings, Harold Wagner, Carol Brown, and Dorothy Calvert; his brother-in-law Paul Foppe, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roscoe and Vilda Wagner; his siblings, Ellen Oroza, Esther Broadwater, Frances Feldman and Dick Wagner; and his sister-in-law Helen Hielscher.
A memorial service will be held at the First Christian Church of Wray on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 10;00 a.m. with Pastor Curtis Taylor officiating. Inurnment will follow at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Field of Dreams project at Wray High School or the First Christian Church.
Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
