Rex Clair Blackwood

Rex Clair Blackwood, Clay Center, KS, passed into his heavenly home May 4, 2025, at age 90. He was a very beloved husband, dad, grandfather, uncle and friend.

Rex was born November 12, 1934, to George and Jenny Blackwood. He lived on his family farm five miles east of Miltonvale, KS, from birth until 2008 when they moved to Clay Center.

Rex was a farm boy through and through growing up with five brothers and one sister. He attended country school, Miltonvale High School and Fort Hays State University until he was called home to take over the farm upon the passing of his father in 1952. While farming he also worked for the railroad in Junction City before becoming the RR 1 mail carrier in Miltonvale starting May 1955 and retiring in 1992.

Rex was passionate about his family, especially his grandchildren. From 1984 until the week he passed he was often seen with up to eight grandkids piled in his truck going to the Kafe for Saturday breakfast, fishing, driver’s education, hunting, working cattle etc. He loved attending his kids’ and grandkids’ programs and sports events. He appreciated nature and rarely ventured far from his farm.

In retirement Rex kept busy taking care of his herd, keeping his pastures clean, and daily trips to the Miltonvale Kafe for coffee with his many friends as well as weekly visits to many friends and family in nursing homes. Times with grandpa will always be remembered by his grandkids. Rex loved playing cards, always razing the loser - thankfully he won the last game he played a couple days before his passing.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Wanda Hafner; brothers, Jack, Dean, Don and Lawrence Blackwood; grandson, Ian Roetman; and infant great-grandson, Louis Ray Pachta.

Rex is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Kaye; brother, George Blackwood; sons, Steve & Gloria Blackwood, Jeff & Darcy Blackwood, Brian Blackwood, Chadd Blackwood; and daughter, Michelle & Bruce Graham; grandchildren, Robert & Laura Blackwood, Crystal & Nathan Wendland, Ryan and Amelia Blackwood, Brook & Ryan Loehr, Austin Graham, Connor & Emily Graham, Heather & Aaron Tremblay, Travis & Jenna Blackwood, Kyle & Tessa Blackwood, Cody & Lacie Blackwood, Bailey & Hughstin Pachta, Brady Blackwood, Kaye Blackwood, Kohlton Blackwood, Leah Hodges, Peyton & Emilee Blackwood, Isabelle Blackwood, Sawyer Blackwood; 19 great-grandkids and one on the way; and one great-great-grandbaby on the way. Rex also cared deeply for his family and many friends.

The family requests no flowers. If you wish to donate, memorials can be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital, SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church or St. Anthony Catholic Church c/o the funeral home.

Visitation followed by rosary: 5-7 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2025, Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, Clay Center, KS.

Funeral Mass: 10 a.m., Friday, May 9, 2025, at the St. Anthony Catholic Church, Miltonvale, KS.

For those who cannot attend the Funeral Mass, a celebration of Life will be held at 12:30 p.m. at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Parish Center in Clay Center on Friday, May 9, 2025.

Burial will take place at a later time.