Kenneth Rex Garver

Kenneth Rex Garver, 85, died Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at Country Place Senior Living, Clay Center, KS. Rex was born at Oberlin, KS on June 19, 1922 to James Franklin and Jessie (Wilson) Garver. (His father Frank and siblings came to Kansas on the orphan train.) Rex attended school in Oberlin and enlisted in the Navy during WWII. He went to underwater welding school during his enlistment with the Navy and served with search and rescue on the USS Grasp and USS Lexington. After serving in the military, Rex worked with the Kansas Nebraska Natural Gas Company in Phillipsburg. He worked his way to management, a position he held until he retired after 42 years. After retirement he moved to Bella Vista, AR, and was a member of the Bella Vista Community Church. Rex was a 50 year member of the Elks and Masonic Lodge, and a past Master in the Masons. Rex was also a member of the Shriners. He enjoyed woodworking, bird watching, and traveling with Nola in their RV. In 2006 he moved to Clay Center, KS. Rex was united in marriage to Nola Ridgeway in 1942. She preceded him in death on January 25, 1996, after 53 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters. Rex is survived by two daughters, Meredith Schneider and husband Lynn, Washington, KS and Leanne James, Naperville, IL; a sister, Peggy May, Atlanta, GA; 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. A graveside memorial service will be at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at the Oberlin City Cemetery, Oberlin, KS. Memorials can be made to the Avon Walk For Breast Cancer, and sent in care of the Ward Funeral Home, 115 w. 2nd St., Washington, KS 66968. Ward Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kenneth Rex Garver, please visit our flower store.