Rex Dare Vandever

Rex Dare Vandever passed away quietly in the Idaho mountains above Carey Idaho on October 19, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Dare Vandever was born September 12, 1937 in Fence Lake, New Mexico. He was the seventh of nine children born to Joel Edgar Vandever and Emma Sue Lewis Vandever. Dare was the fifth of six boys, four older brothers, Ted, Billie, Linton J., Kenney, Keith, and one younger brother, Jack Wilbur. He had three sisters, Emma, Jean, Wanda Cherry Holly, and his youngest sister Judy Carol.

Dare’s parents, Edgar and Emma left Texas in 1930 to go to New Mexico to homestead. There were 640 acre sections around Fence Lake that a person could get for jus improving on them.

Dare attended the Fence Lake School, 1st through 4th grade, 5th through 7th grade in Buckeye, Arizona, where the family had moved to pick cotton. After working in the cotton fields in Arizona for a few years, they moved back to Fence Lake to dry farm again.

A short time later, Edgar took his family to Riverside, California. Edgar worked on a ranch there, working in the fields and helping with the stock. Dare went to the 8th and 9th grade while living and working along side his dad and brothers there. The Vandever’s moved back to Fence Lake when Dare was in 10th grade and stayed in Fence Lake until he graduated from high school, top of his class, Valedictorian! With only two other graduates in his high school graduation class of 3, this would give Dare bragging rights for life!

After graduation, Dare attended Los Cruces College in New Mexico for a year. The Vandever’s had moved back to California for work and Dare joined them. This time Dare was put on as a beekeeper on the ranch where his dad worked. A couple years later, the family moved to Five Points, California where the work was better. At this time, Dare’s older brother Bill (Billie Linton) was home from his army service and drew a homestead in Idaho. Bill needed the help of his family, his brothers, to help him clear the homestead and make improvements on it on order for him to keep it, so the family joined Bill in Idaho.

Shortly after moving to Idaho, Dare needed to ger a paying job. He hired on with Ray L. and Sally Sanford, of Paul, Idaho. While working for the Sanford's, he met and married Sharon Raye Sanford. They married March 3, 1961, in Paul, Idaho. They were sealed in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple in April 1962.

During the first year of their marriage, Dare was drafted into the Army where he served as a medic. He was shipped out to Germany on a large ship. He didn’t serve long because there was an armistice so Dare and his troops were sent home.

While living in the Mini-Cassia area, they hade their first two children, daughter Sarah Amy and their first son Darryll Gregory Vandever.

Dare moved his family to Oregon where he worked in a family plumbing and construction business with his brothers and brother-in-law for several years. While living in Bend and LeGrande Oregon, sons Daren Ray and Joel David were born less that a year apart! The family moved back to the Burley area where their fifth child, Jordan Derek was born and died the same day.

Dare started his own construction business, Vandever Construction, and built several restaurants, buildings, and homes in Idaho. He was an excellent craftsman and finish carpenter. Dare was offered a job at Lagoon as their head carpenter so in 1990, he and Sharon moved to Farmington, Utah with their two youngest sons and have lived there since.

Dad loved his family and loved being outdoors, enjoying the beauty nature offers. He always took his family to join extended family on annual fishing and hunting trips. These were the highlights he looked forward to every year!

His passion for golf transcended just the game; it was a cherished opportunity to bond with his family, creating memories that will live on in the hearts of those who loved him. Likewise, evenings spent playing cards brought laughter and a sense of togetherness as his competitive spirit and quick wit made every match an occasion to remember.

Dare is survived by his children and their spouses; Amy (Alan) Tuckett, Greg (Michelle) Vandever, Daren (Allyson) Vandever, and Joel (AnnDee) Vandever; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service to honor Rex's was held on November 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Paul Idaho Cemetery Chapel, located in Paul, Idaho.

Dare will be laid to rest in the Paul Cemetery next to his wife and their youngest son, Jordan Derek.

Arrangements entrusted to Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.