Dr. Rex Nelson

Dr. Rex J. Nelson, 87, died Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center from causes incident to age. Rex was born March 25, 1924, on the kitchen table at the family farm located near Weston, Idaho. He was the third child born to Roy Oscar Nelson and Marie Jensen Nelson, but the only child to survive infancy. Rex’s early years were filled with hard work on the farm and roaming the hills and streams of Franklin County in search of rabbits, squirrels, fish, and gold nuggets from his grandfather’s mining claim. The family lost their farm during the depression resulting in frequent moves to find farm and construction work. Rex assisted his mother in preparing meals for the laborers and his father in the fields. He was paid with a bicycle, a horse, and a hunting dog. Rex’s family eventually settled in the Rigby area, where his father managed a dry farm. Rex graduated from Rigby High School in 1942 and then moved to Weiser, Idaho, to learn welding. After a short stint working in the naval shipyards, he moved to Salt Lake City to work in a sporting goods store and prepare to join the Army Air Corps. During WWII, Rex served as a B-17 pilot with the 493rd Heavy Bombardment Group quartered at Debach, England flying numerous bombing and humanitarian missions over Germany, France, Belgium, and Czechoslovakia. In February 1946, Rex and his high school sweetheart, Coral Baird, eloped for a double wedding with their friends Dale Nielsen and Leone Cordon. Rex worked as a furniture and appliance salesman and Coral worked at the Land Bank while they “remodeled” a family garage into a three room “castle.” Rex and Coral had two sons, Kent and Douglas. His National Guard unit was deployed to the Korean Conflict, where he flew reconnaissance missions in a small, single engine Cessna, armed with an M-16 rifle and a pistol. Rex later retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel. After the Korean War, Rex enrolled as a 28-year-old freshman at ISU. He finished dental school six years later at the University of Minnesota. Rex and Coral opened a dental practice in Idaho Falls, only to suspend it while his guard unit was activated during the Berlin Crisis. Afterward, Rex resumed his dental practice, working with Coral as a receptionist and bookkeeper until her untimely death in June of 1965 at the age of 42. In October of 1966, Rex married Rae Kay Hosie, which brought him a beautiful daughter, Whitney. Rae’s accounting and business skills brought new life into the dental practice and together they became avid hunters, campers, boaters, skiers, dog trainers, and horse breeders. Together they enjoyed many service and professional activities, including Exchange Club, dental associations, and playing host to numerous parties and fund raising events at the “hobby” ranch on South Park Road. Rex helped form a local dental study group and served as a representative to the National Dental Association. Rex retired from dentistry in 1980 as the result of an unfortunate fall down a flight of stairs. The injury led to his interest in becoming a licensed realtor. He particularly enjoyed the Island Park “cabin” market. In retirement, Rex has lived in Seattle, Island Park, and Idaho Falls. For the past two years he has enjoyed the Fairwinds Retirement Community. Rex is survived by his former spouse, Rae Kay; his sons Dr. Kent (Carolyn) Nelson of Surprise, Arizona; Doug (Billie) Nelson of Idaho Falls; and daughter Whitney (Dennis) Nelson - Heenan of Newburg, Oregon; along with 9 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Nelson Fund at the Idaho Community Foundation.