Rex McWaters

Samuel "Rex" McWaters, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, was born on March 8, 1939, in Coffee Springs, Alabama, to Harvey and Ruby Williams McWaters. He passed away early on Saturday morning, February 7, 2026, at the age of 86.

Rex graduated from Enterprise High School, Troy State University (1960), and the University of Alabama where he earned a master's degree in mathematics (1962). He was the first member of his immediate family to earn a college degree.

After graduation, Rex worked for Hayes Aircraft in Birmingham. After working for a few years, he purchased a new car. It was a red, 1966 Plymouth Sports Fury. He drove that car throughout his life and 60 years later it remains in our family. It stands as a testament to his steadiness and consistency as a man.

While at Hayes, he was sent on an assignment to New Orleans where he met and fell in love with a Louisiana girl, Sandra Byrd. After marrying in 1968 in Baton Rouge, Rex and Sandy moved to the wild west where Rex was employed by The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, California. The two of them looked at it as a short adventure. However, God had a different plan.

In the years that followed, Rex worked in southern California at the Aerospace Corporate Headquarters in Engineering Operations and later moved to the Titan program office where he played a significant role in developing what became the premier American heavy lift launch vehicle of the 1970's. The Titan vehicles were used to launch NASA's most ambitious missions of the time including Voyager 1 & 2 (outer planets), Viking 1 & 2 (Mars), and Helios 1 & 2 (solar probes). Rex never boasted about his work, but he carried quiet pride in contributing to missions that expanded human knowledge and exploration.

In 1983, Rex was transferred with Aerospace to Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM as Systems Engineering Manager supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate. He remained with Aerospace Corp. in Albuquerque until his retirement at the end of 2003, where he played key roles in advanced national defense programs whose details were, by necessity, kept strictly confidential.

Over two decades in New Mexico, Rex and Sandy developed a deep appreciation for the region's culture and natural beauty. They enjoyed introducing visitors to the highlights of Albuquerque and Santa Fe (hot air balloons, Sandia Peak tramway, green chile, etc.), supporting the UNM Lobos, and experiencing the distinct flavors of New Mexican cuisine.

Upon Rex's retirement the couple returned to the south, relocating to Northern Alabama. However, only a short-time passed before Rex was working at the newly established Aerospace - Huntsville office as a retiree-casual. He finally retired in 2018 with 50 years of service to the company.

Rex was a life-long Alabama sports fan, and he followed the Braves, win or lose. Growing up on a farm, he never lost his love for gardening and spent countless hours planting and maintaining a beautiful yard. He was always available for his two sons - coaching little league baseball, playing golf, and helping them hone their basketball skills on the backyard court he built.

Throughout his life Rex nurtured an enduring faith. He was a deep thinker who read a lot and used his understanding of the Bible, science, mathematics, philosophy, and personal experience to come to his own well-informed view of what life was meant to be all about. He knew what he believed but he never imposed his beliefs on others. Wherever the family lived, Rex was actively involved in their local church as a Bible teacher, deacon, committee member, and mentor… even Choir in the earlier days!

Rex was often the smartest guy in the room (he was a literal rocket scientist after all) but you would never know it by the way he carried himself. He was incredibly wise, but he understood the limits of human wisdom and that there are some questions only faith can answer. He lived the golden rule; treating others with grace, humility, kindness, and a quick wit that he maintained until the end.

Rex is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sandra, as well as his sons: Brian Rex McWaters (Amy) of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Scott William McWaters (Aly) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Davis Rex, Josephine Durant (Posey), Anna Elizabeth, Lucian Byrd, and Sadie Randall. His siblings include Hubert from Enterprise, Alabama, and Buryl (Anita) from Birmingham. Also surviving is his sister-in-law, Suzanne Byrd of Hartselle, Alabama, as well as nieces and nephews.

The family is so appreciative to Memory Care at The Terrace/Neighborhood in Priceville, NHC Rehab in Moulton, and the Encouragers Sunday School Class.

A Celebration Service will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, followed by visitation and fellowship in Manna Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation supporting Parkinson's research - a cause close to Rex's heart.