Jerry D. REX

GLOUCESTER - Jerry Dale Rex, 68, died Sept. 17, 2010, as he had lived, with courage, finesse, and a kind heart. He was surrounded by the family he loved at Swan Quarter, his home in Gloucester, Va.
Born June 5, 1942 in Champaign, Ill. Jerry graduated from Mahomet H.S. in 1960, from southern Illinois University in 1965 and from the Executive MBA Program at Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill., in 1986. For 35 years he worked at DeSoto Chemical Company in Chicago rising from research chemist to Global Business Development Manager for Rheology Modifier Technologies and Industrial Resins.
From 1990 to 2001 Jerry continued to manage that business when sold to Union Carbide in Cary, N.C., and later to Dow Chemical. He retired from Dow Chemical in 2001. Restless in retirement, he orchestrated the purchase of Bastech LLC in Jacksonville Fla., and served as CEO/manager of that chemical company until 2010.
Whether in a boardroom or on a golf course, Jerry approached life with irrepressible optimism and kindness. He was the quintessential Cool Guy… unflappable in times of challenge, and the life of the party. He led by example, demonstrating self- discipline and focus ruled by a patient and tender heart. He was our anchor and our compass.
Born to Nadine Schoen Benshoof Rex Roberts, Jerry was predeceased by his mother, grandparents, Clive and Alta Schoen, and father, Max Rex, Keith Benshoof and Lyle Roberts.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Ann Morris Thiel Rex of Gloucester; and children, Hugh Harvy Ledford and wife, Heather of Cincinnati, Ohio, Adam Kane Thiel ( Katherine Thiel) of Fairfax, Va., and a daughter, Clare Alethia Thiel; four grandchildren will miss their " Cappy," Sophia Ivey Thiel and Cooper Wright Thiel of Fairfax, Va., and Jack Campbell Ledford and Ethan Rex Ledford of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Clive Schoen, Jerry's grandfather and mentor taught him this poem. Jerry recited it often as his credo for living.

BOYS OF SPIRIT
Boys of Spirit, boys of Will.
Boys of Muscle, Brain and Power,
Fit to cope with anything,
These are wanted every hour.
Not the weak & whining drones,
Who all troubles magnify,
Not the watchword of " I can't"
But the nobler one "I'll try."
Author unknown

A memorial service followed by burial in the churchyard is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, 2010, at Abingdon Episcopal, 4645 Geo. Wash. Memorial Hwy., Gloucester, Va., followed by a celebration of life at Swan Quarter.
Gestures in his memory, if desired, may be made to The Gloucester Mathews Humane Society Capital Campaign Fund, P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, VA 23061. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.