Rex Sherry

Rex Thompson Sherry Born Dec. 11, 1935 in Gonzales, Texas, raised in Junction, Texas died Aug. 24, 2011, last residence in Austin, Texas. As a graduate of Junction High School Class of 1954, Rex "Tommy" Sherry received a football scholarship to Texas Tech University. He transferred to Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Texas State University) and was a graduate of Class of 1959 with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. In 1954, he wed the true love of his life, Bobby Lou Ogle, in Leakey, Texas. They celebrated their 57th Anniversary on June 19th of this year. It became a family tradition to visit Junction annually, camping at the South Llano River State Park, touring The Devil's Sinkhole and eating at the King Burger in Rocksprings, where they first dated in the 1950's. Rex was a former field-biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife, and proud of his 34 years of service with the Texas Health Department. He advanced to Director of Training and was instrumental in implementing HACCP food safety laws and Heimlich-Maneuver awareness. He also served as President of the Texas Public Employee Association. A BMI recognized songwriter, Rex was a founding member of the country music band The Thoroughbreds and owner of the Stable Music record label, recorded locally and at Sun Records of Memphis, notable for 'Mean Mouthin Mama' and 'Guitar Picker's Epitaph'. As a parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena, he was an officer and active member of St. Vincent de Paul. After retirement, he established his private fraud investigation firm, Arbiter Investigations, in 1996. Rex was a direct descendant of John McSherry and the famous Sarah Creath McSherry Hibbins Stinnett Howard, early pioneers who braved the perils of the land and times before and after Texas Statehood. Rex was preceded in death by parents, Rex Cameron Sherry & Alice Thompson Sherry, siblings, Roger Glenn Sherry, Norma Sherry Huckabee, Steve Cameron Sherry, and wife, Bobby Lou Ogle Sherry. Survived by son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, Daniel Rex, Pixie, and Taylor Rex Sherry of Austin, sisters, Glenda Sherry Scruggs of Odessa, Sharon Sherry Anderson of Amarillo, and Debra Sherry Powers of Flower Mound, numerous nieces and nephews, and beloved pet, Easter Kitty. A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m., at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 W. William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas, 512-892-1172. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, September 2, 2011 at 10:00 a.m at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 4800 Convict Hill Rd, Austin, Texas. Interment will be at Assumption Cemetery, 3650 S. IH-35, Austin, Texas 78704. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Rex's favorite charities. Rex's favorite "slice of God's Green Earth" and annual vacation spots, The Devil's Sinkhole Society Inc., c/o Memorial Fund, PO Box 97, Rocksprings, TX 78880 and South Llano River State Park, 1927 Park Road 73, Junction TX 76849-9502; St. Vincent de Paul of St. Catherine of Siena, 4800 Convict Hill Road, Austin, TX 78749-2299; The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, PO Box 301496, Austin, TX 78703-0025; KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, P.O. Box 7158, Austin, TX 78713-7158. Condolence can be made at www.cookwaldenforestoaks.com.