Roll Call Tribute

Rex Mowery Fordyce 

October 12, 1927 - August 29, 2024 

Rex Mowery Fordyce, 96 years old, a resident of Wimberley, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 29, 2024. He was born on October 12, 1927, in Houston, Texas to the late Orlando Walter Fordyce and Maud Emmaline Mowery. He shared birthdays in October with his older brother Jack Lyle Fordyce.

Rex was raised in a Christian home and trusted Christ as his Savior when he was a young boy. He played the cornet in the junior high band and continued playing in the band until graduation from San Jacinto High School. He attended Texas A&M University with the class of 1949 before enlisting in the Army Air Force, where he served as a corporal until November 7, 1947, fulfilling his love of airplanes. He then returned to Texas A&M and was active in the Aggie Christian Fellowship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, but his time of service delayed his walk until 1951.

Rex met the love of his life, Mary Ola Thomasson Fordyce, as teenagers at Camp Peniel-Double Lake, a Christian youth camp. They developed a lifelong friendship with "Chief" Gordon Whitelock and his wife, Alice, the directors of Camp Peniel and the leaders of one of the first Young Life Clubs they attended, in Houston, Texas. Over the years, they formed other life-long friendships with fellow campers, going on to become neighbors, attend churches, and raise their families together.

Rex and Mary Ola were married on June 14, 1949. After graduating from A&M, they moved back to Rex's childhood home on Almeda Road. Together they built a home with Christ at the center in Hilshire Village, Spring Branch-Houston where they raised four daughters: Cindy, Sharon, Linda and Marsha. Into this home, he lovingly welcomed Mary Ola's youngest sister, Patricia "Patty" Thomasson Powers. He embraced the role of father figure by supporting her in her school activities, teaching her to drive, and many other special memories. He was the best "Girl Dad" to his house full of girls, spending summers teaching his girls to fish, floating the Ouachita River with fishing poles out both sides of the boat, to summer vacations all across the United States.

Rex worked for Cameron Iron Works and then Tex Tube and served his community as one time mayor of Hilshire Village. He actively served as a deacon at Berachah Church and later at Spring Branch Community Church. His entire life, he was a faithful supporter of many missionaries and numerous Christian organizations. He and Mary Ola became involved with Child Evangelism Fellowship Ministry, where he served on the board during the construction of Forest Glenn Camp & Retreat Center. They loved serving together at Camp Good News Youth Camp. It was through this ministry they met their lifelong friends, Jim and Shirley Davidhizar.

After Rex retired from Tex Tube, they moved fulltime to their weekend home in Wimberley and attended Wimberley First Baptist Church. They were blessed to be able to make memories as they travelled to the Holy Land, Europe and around the U.S. In particular, Colorado was a place where they loved spending time camping in their RV, being with family and friends, escaping the Texas heat, and enjoying the beautiful mountains they loved.

Rex, in his role as father, grandfather, and great grandfather, is loved by his family. He especially enjoyed spending time naming and caring for his herd of goats, making smores, and having cookouts at the Ranch, sharing stories, and playing games (especially UNO) with the grandkids.

Rex is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Mary Ola Thomasson Fordyce, his parents, Orlando & Maud Fordyce, brother, Jack Fordyce, and many brothers and sisters in law.

He is survived by his four daughters: Cindy Fordyce Klentzman and her husband Barney, Sharon Fordyce Anderson and her husband Hal, Linda Fordyce Schalles, Marsha Fordyce Walker Dupree and her husband Don, his 12 grandchildren: Rex Klentzman, Leah Klentzman Blum, Alisha Anderson Randig, Seth Anderson, Bethany Anderson Hutchinson, Ty Anderson, Ranie Schalles Warren, Casey Schalles, Katie Schalles Allen, Caleb Schalles, Kendra Walker Hallmark, Miller Walker IV, 27 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law- Patricia Thomasson and Frances Thomasson, brothers-in-law-Don (wife Cathy) and Tim Thomasson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A public service will be held on Saturday, September 14 in the Chapel at 12:00 Rosewood Funeral Home.  Visitation starts at 11:00 in Chapel. Gifts in his memory can be sent to Camp Peniel or Child Evangelism Fellowship.