VETERAN: World War II, U. S. Army Air Corps
Husband of Sarah Josephine Morrison, married 18 June 1944
Charles Rex Bragg, age 95, passed away on July 19, 2018 in Austin, Texas. He is survived by his son, Russ Bragg and wife Nancy; grandson Cameron Bragg and wife Angie; great-grandchildren, Sam Herrington, Caitlin Bragg, and Carson Bragg; all of Austin.
Rex was born to Harry Lee and Pinkie (Daniell) Bragg on July 30, 1922 in Comanche County, Texas. He grew up in DeLeon, spending summers with his granddad working on the farm to earn money for school clothes. Hard work and good times with his cousins.
As a teenager, Rex worked hard to have a little cash. He had a job cleaning the school buildings and lighting the fires early in the morning to heat the school rooms, before he went to school himself. He worked at the movie theater as an usher and projectionist; "all week and two matinees on the weekends." To draw in business, he would make popcorn in a cart he pulled out on the sidewalk. He saw 'Gone With the Wind' "a thousand times". He bought a used model A with the proceeds and was a popular kid in his group of friends.
MILITARY WWII
When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Rex's mother made him wait to enlist until he graduated from high school. At the graduation ceremony he dropped his diploma in her lap as he walked off the stage.
Tales of his enlistment have entertained us all. Almost joined the Navy when the Army Air Corps was taking too long. He and a friend spent a few days living on a base in San Antonio and eating with DeLeon guys who were already soldiers. No one challenged them.
A true member of the Greatest Generation, Rex served his country in the Army Air Corps with 50 aerial combat missions as a waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator in the Italian and European campaigns. He didn't tell us much about his wartime service for years. He did share his little notebook where he had recorded each mission. He noted where the mission was and what the results were "Heavy fire", "9 hours and 30 min to bomb a railroad yard", including the number of flack holes in the plane! His crew's plane was called the Lil-De-Icer.
ARLINGTON
He returned to civilian life to marry his sweetheart, Sarah Josephine Morrison, in 1944. She predeceased him in 2008. He attended Arlington State College briefly and worked for the National Guard from 1948 - 1952. Tools and parts from that job are still in his tool box.
For most of their life, Rex and Sarah were dancing. Ballroom dancing, square dancing, round dancing, country and western dancing.
Rex owned the Professional Barber Shop in downtown Arlington Texas for more than 20 years. He knew all the City Hall news and of course, always had a new joke or two to share. Customers may remember the "mongoose box" which contained a fuzzy tail from a Davy Crockett hat. After a long, and carefully executed set up about how ugly and dangerous a mongoose can be, the customer would be peering into the box and Rex would secretly release a strong spring that would fling that tail right across their face. It is a wonder Rex and the mongoose did not land in jail!
When the City of Arlington took the land where the barber shop was located, Rex worked at some other shops and then took a job at E-Systems in Grand Prairie where he was a jack-of-all trades which allowed him to meet everyone on the manufacturing line included a large Vietnamese group who had to learn to appreciate his humor.
RETIREMENT
Rex and Sarah retired in the 70's and traveled extensively. National and international destinations kept them flying and riding on buses. He often remarked that he had learned not to pass up a chance to pee for free. Women tourists lingering in the shops making the bus load of people wait were his pet peeve.
Country dancing at the Senior Center every week kept them on the go and added some cardo fitness to their life. They made new friends at the center and had a fine time.
AUSTIN
In the early 2000's Rex developed vision problems and Sarah was developing dementia. With little urging, they moved to Austin to be near their family. Many family dinners and celebrations were held that they got to join in. After Sarah passed away, Rex began accompanying Russ to deliver Meals on Wheels every Monday followed by lunch with Cam and any other family members who could make it to Luby's or Whataburger. Great- grandkids would show up in the summer. Great bonding opportunities. For several years, Rex attended country western dances twice a week at the Senior Center on Manchaca Road. He made friends and told jokes.
Funeral services were held Sunday, July 22nd, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, De Leon, with Pastor John Woodard officiating. Military graveside services followed in De Leon Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may directed to the Alzheimer's Association.
SERVICES
Visitation: Saturday, July 21, 2018, 6-8 p.m.
Cook Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749
Funeral Service: Sunday, July 22, 2018, p.m.
First United Methodist Church
616 South Houston Street
De Leon, Texas 76444
Husband of Sarah Josephine Morrison, married 18 June 1944
Charles Rex Bragg, age 95, passed away on July 19, 2018 in Austin, Texas. He is survived by his son, Russ Bragg and wife Nancy; grandson Cameron Bragg and wife Angie; great-grandchildren, Sam Herrington, Caitlin Bragg, and Carson Bragg; all of Austin.
Rex was born to Harry Lee and Pinkie (Daniell) Bragg on July 30, 1922 in Comanche County, Texas. He grew up in DeLeon, spending summers with his granddad working on the farm to earn money for school clothes. Hard work and good times with his cousins.
As a teenager, Rex worked hard to have a little cash. He had a job cleaning the school buildings and lighting the fires early in the morning to heat the school rooms, before he went to school himself. He worked at the movie theater as an usher and projectionist; "all week and two matinees on the weekends." To draw in business, he would make popcorn in a cart he pulled out on the sidewalk. He saw 'Gone With the Wind' "a thousand times". He bought a used model A with the proceeds and was a popular kid in his group of friends.
MILITARY WWII
When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Rex's mother made him wait to enlist until he graduated from high school. At the graduation ceremony he dropped his diploma in her lap as he walked off the stage.
Tales of his enlistment have entertained us all. Almost joined the Navy when the Army Air Corps was taking too long. He and a friend spent a few days living on a base in San Antonio and eating with DeLeon guys who were already soldiers. No one challenged them.
A true member of the Greatest Generation, Rex served his country in the Army Air Corps with 50 aerial combat missions as a waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator in the Italian and European campaigns. He didn't tell us much about his wartime service for years. He did share his little notebook where he had recorded each mission. He noted where the mission was and what the results were "Heavy fire", "9 hours and 30 min to bomb a railroad yard", including the number of flack holes in the plane! His crew's plane was called the Lil-De-Icer.
ARLINGTON
He returned to civilian life to marry his sweetheart, Sarah Josephine Morrison, in 1944. She predeceased him in 2008. He attended Arlington State College briefly and worked for the National Guard from 1948 - 1952. Tools and parts from that job are still in his tool box.
For most of their life, Rex and Sarah were dancing. Ballroom dancing, square dancing, round dancing, country and western dancing.
Rex owned the Professional Barber Shop in downtown Arlington Texas for more than 20 years. He knew all the City Hall news and of course, always had a new joke or two to share. Customers may remember the "mongoose box" which contained a fuzzy tail from a Davy Crockett hat. After a long, and carefully executed set up about how ugly and dangerous a mongoose can be, the customer would be peering into the box and Rex would secretly release a strong spring that would fling that tail right across their face. It is a wonder Rex and the mongoose did not land in jail!
When the City of Arlington took the land where the barber shop was located, Rex worked at some other shops and then took a job at E-Systems in Grand Prairie where he was a jack-of-all trades which allowed him to meet everyone on the manufacturing line included a large Vietnamese group who had to learn to appreciate his humor.
RETIREMENT
Rex and Sarah retired in the 70's and traveled extensively. National and international destinations kept them flying and riding on buses. He often remarked that he had learned not to pass up a chance to pee for free. Women tourists lingering in the shops making the bus load of people wait were his pet peeve.
Country dancing at the Senior Center every week kept them on the go and added some cardo fitness to their life. They made new friends at the center and had a fine time.
AUSTIN
In the early 2000's Rex developed vision problems and Sarah was developing dementia. With little urging, they moved to Austin to be near their family. Many family dinners and celebrations were held that they got to join in. After Sarah passed away, Rex began accompanying Russ to deliver Meals on Wheels every Monday followed by lunch with Cam and any other family members who could make it to Luby's or Whataburger. Great- grandkids would show up in the summer. Great bonding opportunities. For several years, Rex attended country western dances twice a week at the Senior Center on Manchaca Road. He made friends and told jokes.
Funeral services were held Sunday, July 22nd, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, De Leon, with Pastor John Woodard officiating. Military graveside services followed in De Leon Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may directed to the Alzheimer's Association.
SERVICES
Visitation: Saturday, July 21, 2018, 6-8 p.m.
Cook Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749
Funeral Service: Sunday, July 22, 2018, p.m.
First United Methodist Church
616 South Houston Street
De Leon, Texas 76444
VETERAN: World War II, U. S. Army Air Corps
Husband of Sarah Josephine Morrison, married 18 June 1944
Charles Rex Bragg, age 95, passed away on July 19, 2018 in Austin, Texas. He is survived by his son, Russ Bragg and wife Nancy; grandson Cameron Bragg and wife Angie; great-grandchildren, Sam Herrington, Caitlin Bragg, and Carson Bragg; all of Austin.
Rex was born to Harry Lee and Pinkie (Daniell) Bragg on July 30, 1922 in Comanche County, Texas. He grew up in DeLeon, spending summers with his granddad working on the farm to earn money for school clothes. Hard work and good times with his cousins.
As a teenager, Rex worked hard to have a little cash. He had a job cleaning the school buildings and lighting the fires early in the morning to heat the school rooms, before he went to school himself. He worked at the movie theater as an usher and projectionist; "all week and two matinees on the weekends." To draw in business, he would make popcorn in a cart he pulled out on the sidewalk. He saw 'Gone With the Wind' "a thousand times". He bought a used model A with the proceeds and was a popular kid in his group of friends.
MILITARY WWII
When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Rex's mother made him wait to enlist until he graduated from high school. At the graduation ceremony he dropped his diploma in her lap as he walked off the stage.
Tales of his enlistment have entertained us all. Almost joined the Navy when the Army Air Corps was taking too long. He and a friend spent a few days living on a base in San Antonio and eating with DeLeon guys who were already soldiers. No one challenged them.
A true member of the Greatest Generation, Rex served his country in the Army Air Corps with 50 aerial combat missions as a waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator in the Italian and European campaigns. He didn't tell us much about his wartime service for years. He did share his little notebook where he had recorded each mission. He noted where the mission was and what the results were "Heavy fire", "9 hours and 30 min to bomb a railroad yard", including the number of flack holes in the plane! His crew's plane was called the Lil-De-Icer.
ARLINGTON
He returned to civilian life to marry his sweetheart, Sarah Josephine Morrison, in 1944. She predeceased him in 2008. He attended Arlington State College briefly and worked for the National Guard from 1948 - 1952. Tools and parts from that job are still in his tool box.
For most of their life, Rex and Sarah were dancing. Ballroom dancing, square dancing, round dancing, country and western dancing.
Rex owned the Professional Barber Shop in downtown Arlington Texas for more than 20 years. He knew all the City Hall news and of course, always had a new joke or two to share. Customers may remember the "mongoose box" which contained a fuzzy tail from a Davy Crockett hat. After a long, and carefully executed set up about how ugly and dangerous a mongoose can be, the customer would be peering into the box and Rex would secretly release a strong spring that would fling that tail right across their face. It is a wonder Rex and the mongoose did not land in jail!
When the City of Arlington took the land where the barber shop was located, Rex worked at some other shops and then took a job at E-Systems in Grand Prairie where he was a jack-of-all trades which allowed him to meet everyone on the manufacturing line included a large Vietnamese group who had to learn to appreciate his humor.
RETIREMENT
Rex and Sarah retired in the 70's and traveled extensively. National and international destinations kept them flying and riding on buses. He often remarked that he had learned not to pass up a chance to pee for free. Women tourists lingering in the shops making the bus load of people wait were his pet peeve.
Country dancing at the Senior Center every week kept them on the go and added some cardo fitness to their life. They made new friends at the center and had a fine time.
AUSTIN
In the early 2000's Rex developed vision problems and Sarah was developing dementia. With little urging, they moved to Austin to be near their family. Many family dinners and celebrations were held that they got to join in. After Sarah passed away, Rex began accompanying Russ to deliver Meals on Wheels every Monday followed by lunch with Cam and any other family members who could make it to Luby's or Whataburger. Great- grandkids would show up in the summer. Great bonding opportunities. For several years, Rex attended country western dances twice a week at the Senior Center on Manchaca Road. He made friends and told jokes.
Funeral services were held Sunday, July 22nd, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, De Leon, with Pastor John Woodard officiating. Military graveside services followed in De Leon Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may directed to the Alzheimer's Association.
SERVICES
Visitation: Saturday, July 21, 2018, 6-8 p.m.
Cook Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749
Funeral Service: Sunday, July 22, 2018, p.m.
First United Methodist Church
616 South Houston Street
De Leon, Texas 76444
Husband of Sarah Josephine Morrison, married 18 June 1944
Charles Rex Bragg, age 95, passed away on July 19, 2018 in Austin, Texas. He is survived by his son, Russ Bragg and wife Nancy; grandson Cameron Bragg and wife Angie; great-grandchildren, Sam Herrington, Caitlin Bragg, and Carson Bragg; all of Austin.
Rex was born to Harry Lee and Pinkie (Daniell) Bragg on July 30, 1922 in Comanche County, Texas. He grew up in DeLeon, spending summers with his granddad working on the farm to earn money for school clothes. Hard work and good times with his cousins.
As a teenager, Rex worked hard to have a little cash. He had a job cleaning the school buildings and lighting the fires early in the morning to heat the school rooms, before he went to school himself. He worked at the movie theater as an usher and projectionist; "all week and two matinees on the weekends." To draw in business, he would make popcorn in a cart he pulled out on the sidewalk. He saw 'Gone With the Wind' "a thousand times". He bought a used model A with the proceeds and was a popular kid in his group of friends.
MILITARY WWII
When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Rex's mother made him wait to enlist until he graduated from high school. At the graduation ceremony he dropped his diploma in her lap as he walked off the stage.
Tales of his enlistment have entertained us all. Almost joined the Navy when the Army Air Corps was taking too long. He and a friend spent a few days living on a base in San Antonio and eating with DeLeon guys who were already soldiers. No one challenged them.
A true member of the Greatest Generation, Rex served his country in the Army Air Corps with 50 aerial combat missions as a waist gunner on a B-24 Liberator in the Italian and European campaigns. He didn't tell us much about his wartime service for years. He did share his little notebook where he had recorded each mission. He noted where the mission was and what the results were "Heavy fire", "9 hours and 30 min to bomb a railroad yard", including the number of flack holes in the plane! His crew's plane was called the Lil-De-Icer.
ARLINGTON
He returned to civilian life to marry his sweetheart, Sarah Josephine Morrison, in 1944. She predeceased him in 2008. He attended Arlington State College briefly and worked for the National Guard from 1948 - 1952. Tools and parts from that job are still in his tool box.
For most of their life, Rex and Sarah were dancing. Ballroom dancing, square dancing, round dancing, country and western dancing.
Rex owned the Professional Barber Shop in downtown Arlington Texas for more than 20 years. He knew all the City Hall news and of course, always had a new joke or two to share. Customers may remember the "mongoose box" which contained a fuzzy tail from a Davy Crockett hat. After a long, and carefully executed set up about how ugly and dangerous a mongoose can be, the customer would be peering into the box and Rex would secretly release a strong spring that would fling that tail right across their face. It is a wonder Rex and the mongoose did not land in jail!
When the City of Arlington took the land where the barber shop was located, Rex worked at some other shops and then took a job at E-Systems in Grand Prairie where he was a jack-of-all trades which allowed him to meet everyone on the manufacturing line included a large Vietnamese group who had to learn to appreciate his humor.
RETIREMENT
Rex and Sarah retired in the 70's and traveled extensively. National and international destinations kept them flying and riding on buses. He often remarked that he had learned not to pass up a chance to pee for free. Women tourists lingering in the shops making the bus load of people wait were his pet peeve.
Country dancing at the Senior Center every week kept them on the go and added some cardo fitness to their life. They made new friends at the center and had a fine time.
AUSTIN
In the early 2000's Rex developed vision problems and Sarah was developing dementia. With little urging, they moved to Austin to be near their family. Many family dinners and celebrations were held that they got to join in. After Sarah passed away, Rex began accompanying Russ to deliver Meals on Wheels every Monday followed by lunch with Cam and any other family members who could make it to Luby's or Whataburger. Great- grandkids would show up in the summer. Great bonding opportunities. For several years, Rex attended country western dances twice a week at the Senior Center on Manchaca Road. He made friends and told jokes.
Funeral services were held Sunday, July 22nd, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, De Leon, with Pastor John Woodard officiating. Military graveside services followed in De Leon Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may directed to the Alzheimer's Association.
SERVICES
Visitation: Saturday, July 21, 2018, 6-8 p.m.
Cook Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749
Funeral Service: Sunday, July 22, 2018, p.m.
First United Methodist Church
616 South Houston Street
De Leon, Texas 76444
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