Rex Wilford Christensen

Rex Wilford Christensen died December 11, 2024. He was born April 17, 1937 to Angus and Mary Lucille (Syndergaard) Christensen in Powell, WY. The family moved to a farm in Deaver, WY in 1940. Siblings were Ned (Savanna), Mary Lou (Bill Kimes), and Madge (Ray Haase). Rex has a 100% attendance record for all 12 years of school! His boyhood pals Kurt and Alan remained lifelong friends; Rex referred to the group as "the three amigos." Their favorite activity was "chasing girls". In 1955, Rex enrolled at the University of WY on a merit scholarship.
Rex married in 1959 and moved to Salt Lake City. He and Sydney Holmes had two daughters, Nikole and Colbie. He began a 40-year career in banking (he was the youngest bank manager in Utah at age 23) and took a few years off in the 70's to sell men's clothing and jewelry.
He joined the Utah Army National Guard, and was on active duty during the Berlin crisis. He was an avid dirt bike rider and attended many outings with friends and family. He loved building a family cabin with his in-laws.
Rex and Sydney divorced in 1984 and a year later he met the love of his life, Mary S. Riddle. They enjoyed years of boating, fishing, and travelling. They lived in Sandy, UT and Evanston, WY. Rex served on many community boards including YAHA, Evanston Nursing Care Center, and Chamber of Commerce (Red Carpet Committee Chair). He was the Wyoming President of the American Cancer Society.
Rex retired from banking in 2002. He moved to Congress, AZ in 2006. He enjoyed the desert, riding around in his 4-wheeler with a metal detector.
He is survived by his wife Mary, his daughter Colbie (Gary Hooper), sister Madge, Mary's children Robin (Bill) and Scott (Barbara), grandsons Nicholas and Tanner, granddaughter Parker, four great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his elder daughter, special cousins Dick and Chris, and many wonderful "fur babies". Rex felt he was an ordinary man who lived a good life. He was an observer of humanity. During his last 10 years, he experienced mobility issues and declining health.
He will be honored by family and friends at a graveside memorial in the spring of 2025. In lieu of flowers, Rex requested charitable contributions be made in his name to Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026, www.brainsupportnetwork.org. Rex was still searching for the "why" for his illnesses, and hoped that research on his donated brain will help others suffering from neurological problems.