Rex Cropper Reeve Jr.
It is with mixed hearts we announce the passing of our father Rex C. Reeve Jr. He was born November 16, 1937 to Rex and Phyllis Reeve in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was raised in Salt Lake City and married Barbara Joan Eardley in 1959 in the Salt Lake City Temple. After moving several times with his work, they settled in Springville, Utah where they raised their family of seven children.
Rex graduated from Olympus High School in 1956 and attended Brigham Young University where he received his Bachelor and Masters Degrees, and later earned his Doctorate Degree. He and Barbara served as Mission President in Rapid City, South Dakota from 1970 to 1973. Rex worked in various capacities for the Church Education System with his last position being a professor of Ancient Scriptures at BYU in Provo, Utah where he retired in 2003.
Rex had a true love for teaching. He had a rare gift being able to relate the topics he taught in a way those listening could understood. Students loved him and never forgot they had been in a class he had taught. We as a family have several books Rex kept from over the years that contain thousands of letters from students verifying that fact!
Rex served in countless callings throughout his life within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His faith was unshakable, and he served with love and compassion in every calling. His final calling was as a sealer in the Provo City Center Temple.
Rex Is survived by his wife, Barbara Joan Eardley Reeve; his children: Cory Christensen (Benji Christensen), Rex A. Reeve (Carla Reeve), Jack Reeve (Julie Reeve), Howard Reeve (Marni Winkel), Jolene Ackerman (Jeff Ackerman), Laura Robinson (Michael Robinson) and Aaron Reeve (Stephanie Reeve); as well as 29 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Becky Reeve, Roger Reeve (Deanne Reeve), Venice Finlinson (Garth Finlinson) and Barbara Nielson (Lane Nielson); countless cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Rex and Phyllis Reeve, his sister JoAnn Reeve, and his brother David Reeve.
Rex was proud of his family and always remembered each individual, including dozens of his children and grandchildren’s spouses. He loved every member of his family and made all feel they were his favorite. Each and every one of us truly believed we were his favorite because he had enough love and compassion for everyone! We as a family are grateful for the privilege of being born to Rex and Barbara Reeve. Rex was a loving and caring friend, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather; and a perfect example of what a loving Dad is.
A viewing is scheduled for Sunday January 23, 2022 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Springville Stake Center (245 South 600 East, Springville, Utah 84663); and on Monday January 24, 2022 from 9:30-10:30am. The family prayer will be offered at 10:45am prior to funeral services at 11:00am. Interment will be at the Springville City cemetery (200 West 400 South) after the service.
Our family is grateful for the love and support we’ve received from friends and family, and for assistance from the Springville 3rd Ward. We truly appreciate the exceptional service received from the staff at Highland Glen Assisted Living Center in Highland, UT, and our friends at Warenski Funeral Home in American Fork, UT.
For those wishing to attend virtually, please use the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7yR5hT-OiE