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Rex L. Gunderson

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Rex Gunderson Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 26, 2017.

REX L. GUNDERSON
March 27, 1956 ~ March 14, 2017

Born to Edwin and Beverly Gunderson and raised in the Vancouver, WA area, Rex devoted a combined 68 plus years serving in the US Air Force, V.P.D. and the US Coast Guard expanding his ever widening horizons.
He will be remembered by his wife, Jane; children, Derik, Dustin, Kate and Elizabeth; and grandchildren, Devin, Dillon, Darrian, Avery, Dhevyn, and yet to be born Livia.
A true world wide wanderer countless friends met during his personal and service travels will warmly remember him. His infectious smile, easy laugh and witty humor was loved by many, he gave freely and often of his time and wisdom. His many friends and loving family deeply miss him.
Rex's Celebration of Life will be held at Vancouver's Heathman Lodge, Friday, April 7th, 3:30-6:30.
Please donate to the American Heart Association in his memory.
Please sign his Guest Book at www.columbian.com/obits.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Recent Activity

April 7, 2017

Ron Johnson posted to the memorial.

April 7, 2017

Someone posted to the memorial.

April 7, 2017

Chuck Schuurmans posted to the memorial.

17 Entries

Ron Johnson

April 7, 2017

Rex, Got to know you from retired cops breakfasts and a lot of fun card games. You were a special person who left us too soon. My thoughts and prayers to your family.

April 7, 2017

Chuck Schuurmans

April 7, 2017

You were an inspiration to me in the early 70's at CCSO, as you were in retirement at our IHOP
monthly breakfast meetings and quarterly VPD luncheons. Always a smile and a sincere kind word
to all he greeted. Our trip down to Brownsville Oregon to meet Ryan Martin and his kids were a
blessing in disguise because I got to know the real wonderful human being you truly were with
all that you held dear for family and friends. God bless your family and RIP my friend! EOW 03/14/17.

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John Costello

April 4, 2017

Over 35 years ago Rex and I met sitting on a yellow school bus heading for our first exercise with the USCGR up at Port Townsend, WA. We found out we had many common interest. Both Law Enforcement, both prior service, both thinking the USCGR was a great way to give back to our communities, and both liking to talk about our families.

Over the next 3 decades of exercises, real world events, sorties,and many lunches and beers, we loved to talk about changes in our lives as we aged.

I will miss those times we could serve and catch up with my brother from another mother, on our similar courses that we tracked. Our changes in careers and families.

As you sailed across the bar this last time TREX, stand relieved, we have the watch. We will meet again as we always seemed to do and catch up on how things are going with each other.
BIGBIRD

Gunderson's

derik Gunderson

April 1, 2017

To you all of you thank you!!! This man was my best friend! As he was to so many other. He was really my father and as we grew older we grew closer and closer. I can go on and on! Cheers DAD!!! till we meet again! Then i will share all my new advetures!!!xoxoxo

Roy Brown ret. VPD

March 29, 2017

My thoughts and prayers to your family, may you rest in the arms of our Lord and Savior.

Dennis Hanson

March 29, 2017

Rex was a exemplenary Coastie as well as caring and sensitive human being. Individuals like MCPO Gunderson inspire the best in all of us. It seems like the good Lord take best first. He will be missed by all of us who knew him.

Jim Drew, Deputy CCSO, retired

March 28, 2017

Years ago during a very difficult day in my family's history Rex stepped in and blessed us immensely. My Mom passed suddenly in her sixties and Rex responded to My parents home ....while there on duty his concern for my Dad, sisters and me was over the top and deeply comforting. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and give you peace...like you did for us. Our love- the Drew family.

david marosi

March 28, 2017

Rex worked with me as a detective at VPD, always enthusiastic, almost to the point where I had to hold him back. I am very sad about his passing, he was a great guy.

Trish Perry

March 28, 2017

Jane and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. What an amazing man!

BOb Gruchalla, USCGR (ret)

March 27, 2017

He was a good shipmate and he will be missed.

John Murray

March 27, 2017

I am deeply saddened by the loss of this fine person and long time friend and fellow Coastie. May you rest in peace dear friend. You will be missed.

PS-1 Jerry Leone

March 27, 2017

Master Chief Gunderson's sudden death is a shocking and distressing loss to the Portland Coast Guard Reservists' Choir Practice group. He regularly attended functions of the retired Coasties. We were especially thrilled by reports of his sailing adventures as a crew member aboard the Coast Guard barque Eagle during the summers of 2011-2012. Fair winds and following seas, Rex.

Bob Tidwell- CCSO/USCG-ret.

March 27, 2017

Fair winds and a calm sea's my friend.

Jeff Dixson

March 26, 2017

Rex was a client of mine for many years and just an all around great guy! He was really starting to enjoy retirement after decades of service to our Country and our community. His passing has shocked us all and reminds us how precious life really is. Rex was a blessing to so many and left a legacy of what serving others and protecting others really means. Every time I think of you it brings a smile to my face. Job WELL done!! RIP my friend!

Leilani

March 26, 2017

Dustin and Derik, I'm devastated by your sudden loss. I want you to know I carry you in my heart with prayers for you and your families. You had one of the most active dads I know and now can hold on to the many cherished memories you made together!

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