Rex J Tracy

Rex J. Tracy was born February 26, 1937 in Wray, Colorado to Harve and Evaleen Tracy. He died October 25, 2014 at his home in Wray, Colorado. Shortly after Rex was born the family moved to Cheyenne County Kansas where Rex spent his first eight years of his life. While there he started school in the country school, District number 60.

In 1945, Rex moved along with his family to the ranch 14 miles north of Haigler. The first two years he was there Rex and his sisters rode the school bus into Haigler to school. He then attended District 43 country school riding his horse there much of the time. In 1948, his father, Harve purchased a 1946 John Deere tractor and Rex learned to drive on it. He helped in the hay fields at the age of 12 raking hay with a team of horses.

School District 43, consolidated with Haigler when Rex was in the seventh grade and he rode the school bus into Haigler. He attended school there and graduated from high school in 1956. After graduation he went into ranching with his father.

In 1959, Rex joined the National Guard and was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for basic training. After completing basic training he was stationed at Fort Chafee Arkansas and was in the artillery unit firing 105 and 155 Howitzers.

On October 9, 1960, he was united in marriage to Beverly Rogers at the Wray United Methodist Church in Wray, Colorado. Rex and Beverly took over the ranch from his father, Harve. Rex and Beverly had three sons, Bill, Tad and Jerry Tracy.

In 1964, Rex and Beverly took flying lessons and purchased their first airplane. This was to become one of Rex’s greatest loves. He loved to fly and gave many people their first ride in an airplane.

In 1982, Rex and Beverly sold the ranch at Haigler and moved to Wray, Colorado. Rex worked for E & E Excavation and later Interstate Irrigation of Yuma. After retirement he was unable to just do nothing so he helped various farmers. Not being able to give up ranching he kept a small herd of cattle to occupy his extra time.

After retirement, Rex and Beverly enjoyed traveling and seeing the country and Beverly’s hobby of genealogy took them to many out of the way places.

The hours Rex spent with his grandchildren were the greatest pleasure in later years. He took them with him to feed cows and for rides on the tractors. They always wanted to come down and spend time with him.

Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Harve an Evaleen Tracy. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, his sons; Bill and wife, Yvette, Tad and wife, Phyllis, and Jerry and wife, April; grandsons; Travis Tracy, Gale Tracy, Chad Tracy, Eric Tracy and Wyatt Tracy; and great-granddaughter, Alice Tracy and great-grandson; Nate Friend, and two sisters, Fern Forsythe of St. Francis and Ellen Sieders of Elizabeth.

A Memorial service was held Wednesday, October 29, 2014, 1:00 p.m. at the Wray United Methodist Church in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Norman Stott and Pastor Terry Douglass officiating. A Private Family inurnment was held in the Armel Cemetery in Armel, Colorado. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.