Rex Elliott Abbott, 64, of Smithwick, S.D., passed away at his home Dec. 2.
Rex was born March 19, 1951, to Herbert and Georgene (Kern) Abbott of Keenesburg. He attended grade school near the family farming and ranching operation at Sunnydale School. He attended Weld Central High School. Following high school, he briefly attended Lamar Community College, where he enjoyed riding bulls at the college rodeos.
In the spring of 1970, Uncle Sam decided he would be a better soldier than a student and called him to serve in the Army. He served as a medic in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1973. As a proud veteran, he was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 180 in Keenesburg.
After returning home, he married Ruth Ann Myers, of Greeley, in September 1973. From this union, they had two children, Tina and Clint. Rex spent hours in the tractor on the family’s dryland wheat farm. But he always found time to enjoy his family, his friends, and his cows and horses. As Tina and Clint grew up they traveled countless miles to Little Britches and high school rodeos. As always, he made the most of each adventure; meeting and making lifelong friends.
Rex loved rodeo and enjoyed being a member of organizations such as the Southeast Weld County Fair board. He also served as a sponsor for the ADCO High School Rodeo Club and a parent director for the Colorado State High School Rodeo Association.
Rex was a true cowboy at heart. In 1999, he and Ann were able to pursue their dream of ranching with a move to Smithwick. He immediately felt right at home watching his cows grazing in the rolling hills east of Smithwick. His passion for ranching and cowboying was evident. as he and Ann built a reputation herd of Red Angus cows. Rex never met a stranger and quickly became a vital member of this community. He also enjoyed serving on the Oelrichs Rodeo Association committee.
Rex treated his friends as family and was very proud to be known as “Papa Rex” to many little boys and girls in the area. Rex ran a great race and seldom went less than full speed. He made it a point to have fun and did his best to make sure everyone around him had fun too.
Rex was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, Allen and Opal Abbott; and grandparents, George and Ida Kern. Survivors grateful for having shared in his life include his wife; a daughter Tina (Mike) Christinck; and grandsons, Levi and Lane of Wheatland, Wyo; a son Clint, (Heather) Abbott; and grandsons Riley and Braden, of Smithwick; a sister, Sandra (David Rupple) Galey, of Brighton; a brother , Doug (Johanna) Abbott, of Keenesburg; his mother, Georgene Abbott, of Keenesburg; one uncle; and numerous aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Services were Dec. 7 at Prairie View United Methodist Church in Smithwick. A celebration of life followed at the American Legion hall in Hot Springs, S.D. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oelrichs Rodeo Association or Oelrichs Playday, PO Box 66, Smithwick, S.D. 57782.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home of Hot Springs. Written condolences can be made at www.chamberlainmccolleys.com