Rex Louis Blodgett, 89

Rex Louis Blodgett enjoyed a long life that included meritorious service to his country, a large and loving family, and an expansive knowledge of Idaho’s highways and byways.

 Born on March 29, 1920, to Charles and Irene Blodgett of Grand View, Idaho, he was one of four children, all of whom pursued successful careers in agriculture or education.

He had a happy childhood full of humor and high jinks, and attended the University of Idaho where he met and fell in love with the beautiful Margaret Montgomery of Eden, Idaho. They were married in Boise on Oct. 3, 1942.

Like so many of his generation, Rex answered his country’s call in 1942. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, knowing little about planes or aviation, but when he “volunteered” to be an electrician (thinking it might be safer), he soon found himself training as a senior gunner on the newly developed B-29 Stratofortress.

Rex’s military career  included 35 missions flying the “Hump” from the CBI Theatre into China as a member of the crew of “Hap’s Characters” with the 58th Bomber Squadron (he never ate rice again in his life). He was awarded the Air Medal with clusters, the Presidential Citation (for being what he often referred to as “survival specialist”) and the Distinguished Flying Cross with clusters. He maintained a lifelong interest in WWII veteran’s activities, including attending many reunions of his bomber squadron. As one by one his fellow crew members took “the last flight,” he remarked that he could not believe he was to be the last one standing, but eventually he was. His own final flight came on the afternoon of March 14, 2010.

Rex and Margaret were blessed with three children: Irene Wilson (Richard) of Payson, Utah; Carol Hollifield (Terry) of Hansen, Idaho; and son David Blodgett (Memory) of Spokane.

After a long battle with cancer, Margaret passed away in 1966, never to know the wonderful grandchildren Rex enjoyed so much: Shane Wilson (Sharon), Larry Hollifield (Christi), her namesake Margaret “Margi” Gunter (Clint), Ryan Blodgett (Marjorie-Ann), Scott Blodgett (Julie), Kevin Blodgett, and Rory VanHyning. He also welcomed great-grandchildren Tyson and Braiden Wilson, Aden and Peyton Hollifield, Kylie Blodgett and Evalena Blodgett.

In 1968, Rex married Corine McCall and began a new chapter in his life; welcoming two stepchildren, Jim McCall (Lynne) and Bob McCall (Paula), and later grandchildren Jarrett (Katie), Marc (Kelli) and Barbara Moore (Tom) and Mike McCall and Christi McCall, Suzi Stranahan (Darren) and Sheila Blanchette (Wesley), plus many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He enjoyed many adventures camping, fishing, boating and exploring with the McCall side of his family, and kept them close to his heart always.

Corine passed away in 2005 after a long illness, leaving Rex as patriarch of two extended families. Later Florence Lux, a longtime friend, became a wonderful companion filling Rex’s life with joy.

Rex spent most of his career in agriculture, working for Idaho’s potato, pea and lentil industry. He had a keen eye for crop quality and production management, and enjoyed the camaraderie of his many friends and business associates. He was a member of numerous industry and civic organizations, and with Corine attended meetings and conventions throughout the world. He retired in 1985.

Rex kept up a lifetime correspondence with friends, family and children, loved games and was an avid reader. He had a sense of humor that never left him, and although the computer often gave him fits, he learned how to send e-mail and mastered the technology of his cell phone. He greatly enjoyed talking about his experiences in World War II, and loved having time to explore his beloved state of Idaho, often taking lengthy road trips without a map, visiting rural communities and small towns, and savoring the state’s abundant natural resources.

Until his last breath, Rex Blodgett remained alert, interested in the world around him, fond of a tall cocktail, grateful for a good meal, and as Republican as possible. He will be long remembered and cherished.

Contributions in his name may be made to Idaho Youth Ranch, 5465 W. Irving St., Boise ID 83706 or to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 911 West Fifth Ave., Spokane WA 99204.