Rex Roger Morton was born on June 20, 1931 in Decatur County, Kansas, the son of Abbott and Margaret Morton. He passed away on January 29, 2024 in Wichita, Kansas.
Rex attended Plainview one-room school in rural Decatur County, KS and graduated from Oberlin Senior High School in 1949. Through the sale of his Decatur County Grand Champion steer, he attended one semester at K-State University before returning to work with his father on the family farm. Rex enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953 and was deployed to Nuremberg, Germany. During his tour of duty, he enjoyed visiting Holland and England, where he witnessed a precession with Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Guard. Upon discharge in 1955, he returned to the family farm.
Rex married Billie McClure on November 20, 1955, in Oberlin. The couple lived and worked for a short time in Atwood, Kansas before returning to the family farm and from there to a farm just north of Rexford, Kansas. In 1969 Rex left farming and began work as a Kansas State Meat Inspector, moving to Dodge City, Kansas in 1973. From there he moved to Topeka, working as a training officer in the Meat Inspection Department. Eventually he began work for Doskocil Food Companies in Hutchinson, Kansas. After retirement, Rex embarked on a new adventure picking up and delivering travel trailers all over the U.S. and occasionally into Canada. He also enjoyed woodworking. Billie and Rex lived in Sahuarita, AZ for a number of years before returning to Kansas in 2019 and making their home in Wichita.
Survivors include his wife Billie; daughter: Patty Morton (Felix Tarm); son: Allen Morton (Ruth); brother: Arnold Morton (Judy) of Roseburg, OR; sisters: Mary Futral of Savannah, GA, Margaret Ann Steadman of Oberlin, KS, and Avis Morton (Suzanne) of Kansas City, MO; grandsons: Tom Morton (Priscilla) and Frank Morton (Margo); granddaughters: Hillary McShea of Caledonia, NY, Sarah Cherry (Andrew) of Buhler, KS, and Erin Morton of Ingalls, KS; great-grandsons: Ryan Cherry, Jackson Cherry, and Clayton Morton; great granddaughters: Abby Morton, Josephine Koehler, Beatrix Koehler, Mesa Morton, and Evelyn Morton; numerous other nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Rex was proceded in death by his parents, grandson: Sgt. Benjamin Morton (KIA 2005) and wife Elaina; brothers-in-law: John Futral and Mike Steadman; sister-in-law: Jackie Morton.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 11:00AM at the Oberlin Cemetery. Memorial donations may be given to Good Shepherd Hospice, 7829 E. Rockhill, Suite 403, Wichita, KS 67206. Condolences can be left at www.plumergobber.com.