Oscar Grant Rex Sr., 75, passed away at his home on July 4, 2018.

Oscar was born in Spokane, Wash., on Oct. 26, 1942, to Floyd and Esther Rex.

He and his parents moved from Spokane to Cocolalla, Idaho, in the spring of 1957, where they purchased and operated the Cocolalla Store and post office. His mother, Esther, was the postmistress until they retired in 1978.

Oscar attended high school in Sandpoint, Idaho, where he met the love of his life Sharron Anne (Sims) Rex.

In June of 1960, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as an aviation structural mechanic on the USS Bon Homme Richard until January 1963.

In October of 1960, he and Sharron were married in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They eventually settled in Kootenai, Idaho, where they raised five children and lived the last 46 years of their lives together until she was taken home in August of 2013.

Upon leaving the Navy, Oscar worked a few small jobs until making a career as a certified lumber grader for many years. Later in life, he worked for Merwin’s Hardware in Sandpoint, Lignetics in Ponderay, Idaho, Arnie’s in Kootenai, and lastly retired from a janitor’s position with the Lake Pend Orelle School District in 2011 to take care of his wife at home after she suffered a stroke.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and his dogs later in life, and also enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating with family during his younger years.

Oscar is survived by his five children: Oscar Grant Rex Jr. of McKenna, Wash.; Donald Mark (Margaret) Rex of Genesee, Idaho; Cindy Lou (Rex) Reed of Sagle, Idaho; Debbie Lynn (Rex) Ozbun of Sandpoint: and Floyd “Kip” Wilbur (Jennifer) Rex of Athol, Idaho; two sisters, Lois Marie (Carl (deceased)) Loos; and Doris Jean (Henry) Stahl; sister-in-law Connie Sims; brother-in-law John Sims; and nine grandchildren, Brandon Rex, Bridget Warner-Hall, Taylor Hawks, Joseph Mancuso; Torin Ozbun and Kimberly Lucas, as well as 17 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his infant sister Mamie Lou (1932); his beloved wife, Sharon Anne (Sims) Rex; a grandson, LJ Smith; a nephew, Scott Loos and two brothers-in-law, Gary Sims and Carl Loos.