Rex Acree, 80, passed away peacefully at his home in Tulsa, OK, on Friday, October 20, 2017, after an extended illness. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judy "Jan" Davis Acree; his son, David and his wife Kerry; his daughter Sara Hitch and her husband Jason; and his grandchildren, Dane Acree, Bradley Acree and his wife Dolores, Brittany Acree, Destiny Green, William Green, and Tyler Hitch. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Judy Acree and Nancy Jean (Jeanne) Stephens, in addition to many cousins, nieces, nephews, and treasured friends.
William Rex Acree was born January 8, 1937, in the home of his maternal grandmother in Sapulpa, OK. He grew up surrounded by family, as his mother's three brothers and one sister all lived in Sapulpa. Despite numerous residences all across the United States during his adult years, that emphasis on family remained with him throughout his life. In November 1956 at the age of 19, Rex followed his younger brother and cousin, against their wishes AND better judgment, into the United States Marine Corps. During his first year as a Marine, he was chosen for a scholarship program and fulfilled that scholarship through the College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. After a very promising start to his military career, the Marine Corps chose to send him, in 1967, for further education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Shortly after the successful completion of his MS in Management, he was sent to Duke University in Durham, NC, for three years as a Marine Officer Instructor. During his 20 years of active service, Rex completed tours in Okinawa, Japan, and Vietnam, but ultimately retired from the Marine Corps at the rank of Major in 1976. While in school at Norman, Rex met Jan and, after only three months, asked her to marry him, which she did on April 8, 1960. She remained by his side for 57 years, even with almost 30 moves to her credit. Together, they shared the joys and heartaches of married life in addition to the excitement of new experiences. Along the way, they raised two children.
Following his military service, Rex returned to what he knew before the Marine Corps—glass manufacturing. His next twenty years were spent in management in various glass production facilities across the United States. In 1993, Rex retired for good, and he and Jan returned "home" to Tulsa. It was in retirement that Rex seemed to find his true calling—Biblical teaching. In 2000, two dear friends encouraged him to start an Adult Couple's Sunday School Class, and he agreed. From those beginning days until only recently, he taught faithfully. His ability to teach blossomed throughout those years, and his knowledge of Scripture, his faith, and his overall love of the Lord were inspiring to many and will leave a legacy for his family and friends for years to come.
Rex was preceded in death by his mother, Vera Acree; his father, Abraham Acree; and his brothers, Jackie and Boyd.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday morning (11:00 a.m.), October 26, 2017, at Woodland Acres Baptist Church, Tulsa, OK, with Lead Pastor Kriss Haymes officiating.
Burial will take place on Fri., Nov. 10, 2017 at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery.
William Rex Acree was born January 8, 1937, in the home of his maternal grandmother in Sapulpa, OK. He grew up surrounded by family, as his mother's three brothers and one sister all lived in Sapulpa. Despite numerous residences all across the United States during his adult years, that emphasis on family remained with him throughout his life. In November 1956 at the age of 19, Rex followed his younger brother and cousin, against their wishes AND better judgment, into the United States Marine Corps. During his first year as a Marine, he was chosen for a scholarship program and fulfilled that scholarship through the College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. After a very promising start to his military career, the Marine Corps chose to send him, in 1967, for further education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Shortly after the successful completion of his MS in Management, he was sent to Duke University in Durham, NC, for three years as a Marine Officer Instructor. During his 20 years of active service, Rex completed tours in Okinawa, Japan, and Vietnam, but ultimately retired from the Marine Corps at the rank of Major in 1976. While in school at Norman, Rex met Jan and, after only three months, asked her to marry him, which she did on April 8, 1960. She remained by his side for 57 years, even with almost 30 moves to her credit. Together, they shared the joys and heartaches of married life in addition to the excitement of new experiences. Along the way, they raised two children.
Following his military service, Rex returned to what he knew before the Marine Corps—glass manufacturing. His next twenty years were spent in management in various glass production facilities across the United States. In 1993, Rex retired for good, and he and Jan returned "home" to Tulsa. It was in retirement that Rex seemed to find his true calling—Biblical teaching. In 2000, two dear friends encouraged him to start an Adult Couple's Sunday School Class, and he agreed. From those beginning days until only recently, he taught faithfully. His ability to teach blossomed throughout those years, and his knowledge of Scripture, his faith, and his overall love of the Lord were inspiring to many and will leave a legacy for his family and friends for years to come.
Rex was preceded in death by his mother, Vera Acree; his father, Abraham Acree; and his brothers, Jackie and Boyd.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday morning (11:00 a.m.), October 26, 2017, at Woodland Acres Baptist Church, Tulsa, OK, with Lead Pastor Kriss Haymes officiating.
Burial will take place on Fri., Nov. 10, 2017 at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery.
Rex Acree, 80, passed away peacefully at his home in Tulsa, OK, on Friday, October 20, 2017, after an extended illness. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judy "Jan" Davis Acree; his son, David and his wife Kerry; his daughter Sara Hitch and her husband Jason; and his grandchildren, Dane Acree, Bradley Acree and his wife Dolores, Brittany Acree, Destiny Green, William Green, and Tyler Hitch. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Judy Acree and Nancy Jean (Jeanne) Stephens, in addition to many cousins, nieces, nephews, and treasured friends.
William Rex Acree was born January 8, 1937, in the home of his maternal grandmother in Sapulpa, OK. He grew up surrounded by family, as his mother's three brothers and one sister all lived in Sapulpa. Despite numerous residences all across the United States during his adult years, that emphasis on family remained with him throughout his life. In November 1956 at the age of 19, Rex followed his younger brother and cousin, against their wishes AND better judgment, into the United States Marine Corps. During his first year as a Marine, he was chosen for a scholarship program and fulfilled that scholarship through the College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. After a very promising start to his military career, the Marine Corps chose to send him, in 1967, for further education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Shortly after the successful completion of his MS in Management, he was sent to Duke University in Durham, NC, for three years as a Marine Officer Instructor. During his 20 years of active service, Rex completed tours in Okinawa, Japan, and Vietnam, but ultimately retired from the Marine Corps at the rank of Major in 1976. While in school at Norman, Rex met Jan and, after only three months, asked her to marry him, which she did on April 8, 1960. She remained by his side for 57 years, even with almost 30 moves to her credit. Together, they shared the joys and heartaches of married life in addition to the excitement of new experiences. Along the way, they raised two children.
Following his military service, Rex returned to what he knew before the Marine Corps—glass manufacturing. His next twenty years were spent in management in various glass production facilities across the United States. In 1993, Rex retired for good, and he and Jan returned "home" to Tulsa. It was in retirement that Rex seemed to find his true calling—Biblical teaching. In 2000, two dear friends encouraged him to start an Adult Couple's Sunday School Class, and he agreed. From those beginning days until only recently, he taught faithfully. His ability to teach blossomed throughout those years, and his knowledge of Scripture, his faith, and his overall love of the Lord were inspiring to many and will leave a legacy for his family and friends for years to come.
Rex was preceded in death by his mother, Vera Acree; his father, Abraham Acree; and his brothers, Jackie and Boyd.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday morning (11:00 a.m.), October 26, 2017, at Woodland Acres Baptist Church, Tulsa, OK, with Lead Pastor Kriss Haymes officiating.
Burial will take place on Fri., Nov. 10, 2017 at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery.
William Rex Acree was born January 8, 1937, in the home of his maternal grandmother in Sapulpa, OK. He grew up surrounded by family, as his mother's three brothers and one sister all lived in Sapulpa. Despite numerous residences all across the United States during his adult years, that emphasis on family remained with him throughout his life. In November 1956 at the age of 19, Rex followed his younger brother and cousin, against their wishes AND better judgment, into the United States Marine Corps. During his first year as a Marine, he was chosen for a scholarship program and fulfilled that scholarship through the College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. After a very promising start to his military career, the Marine Corps chose to send him, in 1967, for further education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Shortly after the successful completion of his MS in Management, he was sent to Duke University in Durham, NC, for three years as a Marine Officer Instructor. During his 20 years of active service, Rex completed tours in Okinawa, Japan, and Vietnam, but ultimately retired from the Marine Corps at the rank of Major in 1976. While in school at Norman, Rex met Jan and, after only three months, asked her to marry him, which she did on April 8, 1960. She remained by his side for 57 years, even with almost 30 moves to her credit. Together, they shared the joys and heartaches of married life in addition to the excitement of new experiences. Along the way, they raised two children.
Following his military service, Rex returned to what he knew before the Marine Corps—glass manufacturing. His next twenty years were spent in management in various glass production facilities across the United States. In 1993, Rex retired for good, and he and Jan returned "home" to Tulsa. It was in retirement that Rex seemed to find his true calling—Biblical teaching. In 2000, two dear friends encouraged him to start an Adult Couple's Sunday School Class, and he agreed. From those beginning days until only recently, he taught faithfully. His ability to teach blossomed throughout those years, and his knowledge of Scripture, his faith, and his overall love of the Lord were inspiring to many and will leave a legacy for his family and friends for years to come.
Rex was preceded in death by his mother, Vera Acree; his father, Abraham Acree; and his brothers, Jackie and Boyd.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday morning (11:00 a.m.), October 26, 2017, at Woodland Acres Baptist Church, Tulsa, OK, with Lead Pastor Kriss Haymes officiating.
Burial will take place on Fri., Nov. 10, 2017 at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery.
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