Marion Rex Bradford, born June 19, 1924 in Peru KS, was the second of three sons born to Earnest Richard and Lylith Marie (Hinkle) Bradford and passed away Sunday, November 10, 2019, at Corn Heritage Village of Weatherford, at the age of 95 years, 4 months, and 21 days.

The family moved many times during Rex's youth living in Peru, Caney, Olpe, Gordon, and Augusta, KS following his father's oilfield job with Prairie Oil Company. In 1932, the family moved to Florence where Rex attended school from 3rd grade through 10th grade. The family moved to Sterling in 1940 where Rex graduated in 1942. He lettered in football, basketball, and track.

In December 1942, Rex enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Corp and was sent to Ogden, UT for flight training. While stationed there, he played on the Weber State basketball team that played against a team of Harlem Globetrotters. Rex completed his service on the carrier USS Princeton, CV-37, and participated in the ships' shakedown cruise to Guantanamo Bay Cuba before being honorably discharged in May 1946.

Rex returned to Sterling and played football for Sterling College for 3 years. He was hired by Michigan-Wisconsin Pipe Line Company in Alden, KS in May 1950. After several transfers, he retired in July 1983 in Weatherford, OK. On June 3, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Gail Bonnet, in Sterling. As the children arrived, Rex shared his passion for sports, hunting, fishing, and camping. Rex and Donna raised four children while living in Sterling, Meade, and Lyons in Kansas, then Pampa TX and Weatherford, OK. His first consideration was always his family.
During retirement, Rex enjoyed family vacations in Colorado, hunting and fishing, and traveling in their camper. Rex and Donna traveled to Australia, China, Russia, Newfoundland, and Canada. Rex became an avid golfer, sharing that passion with his children, and playing until he was ninety. Rex was a member of the Masonic Lodge #171 of Sterling, KS and the Weatherford Elks club.

Rex is survived by three sons, Scott and his wife, Donna Kay; son, Michael; and son, Kyle and his wife, Lisa, and one daughter, Sheri Meredith and her husband, Rod. He leaves nine grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, his parents, two brothers Ross and Dale, and one step-grandchild.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Great Plains Family YMCA of Weatherford.