Rex Simonds

Rex Coy Simonds, age 85, passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2021 in Anaheim, California. Born on January 25, 1936 in Lynch, Nebraska, he grew up in several locations within the state, a true Nebraskan in heart and soul. Born into a large family, 7 brothers and 7 sisters, Rex was raised on the farm most of his life. While an average student in academics, he excelled in athletics, lettering in high school track, basketball, and football, his favorite sport.

After graduation, Rex enlisted in the USAF at 17 years of age, and after basic training, was stationed at Hamilton AFB in the SF Bay area. While there, he visited a church in Santa Rosa, California with a friend and met the love of his life, Rebecca (Becky) Huber at a youth meeting. They were married April 20, 1955 and remained committed and faithful for 64 years until Becky's passing. Almost immediately after marriage, Rex was transferred to France for one year, and Becky remained at home. As soon as he returned, they began their married life anew. Two years later in 1958, Tamra, their first child, was born and by 1961, their second child, Donna, joined the family.

Rex's Air Force career lasted 20 years, mainly spent in administrative duties, which included working in reconnaissance and with top secret information. He served a year in France, a year in Vietnam and four years in the Netherlands, and the other years stateside. His duties earned him several commendations and medals. Serving his final three years at the Pentagon, he retired in 1974 to pursue a second career. Always the provider, Rex found a job in Las Vegas, NV, where the family moved in 1975. Shortly after arriving, their third child, Jeffrey, entered the world. With a newborn, and two teenagers, Rex and Becky made a bold decision to pick up stakes without another solid job lead and move to Rancho Cordova, California. There he began his 23-year career in the US Postal Service as a postal carrier. Rex and Becky lived in Rancho Cordova until 2016 when they moved to the Los Angeles area.

Rex committed his life to Jesus Christ in his 20's and served him faithfully to the end. He loved to gather with others every Sunday to worship at church or chapel. It was his joy to sing in the choir, teach a men's Sunday school class, and to serve as deacon for many years by helping church members and serving his community. Rex's booming bass voice echoed as he sang in the choir, in quartets, and at events. He also enjoyed square dancing, listening to country music, working on the car, leading a boy scout troop, tinkering on home fix it projects, doing yard work, grilling on the BBQ, watching football (especially his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers), and resting in his favorite lounge chair. He enjoyed his walks as a postal carrier and meeting people on his route. He appreciated God's creation, reveling in day trips with Becky or vacationing at many National Parks. His favorite was a family trip, traveling around Europe in a VW camper van and pulling a small trailer for Becky's parents, who came along for the ride. Trips to Santa Rosa and Oregon occurred every year to visit family, along with frequent visits to El Paso, visiting his brother, Harry, and family. Rex also relished the many trips to the Simonds Family reunions over the years, attending as many as possible. He considered his greatest joy and accomplishment being a husband to Becky, a father to his children and a grandfather/great-grandfather to his grandchildren. Rex loved his family more than any other thing in life and lived this out purposefully.

Rex is survived by his children: Tamra (Dave) Auda, Donna (Daniel) Ladner, and Jeffrey (Mandy) Simonds; grandchildren: Sarah (Zachary) Goodson, Ruthi (Ryan) Daugherty, Rebekah Auda, Deborah Auda, Jonathan Ladner, Krystal (Jed) Lumongsod, Joshua Ladner, David Ladner, and great-granddaughter, Hyland Goodson; his siblings: Roy Simonds, Carole Perry, and Janis Crowner.