Rex Paddock

Rex Paddock, 91, of Missoula passed away Monday, December 30, 2024 at St. Patrick Hospital. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held January 17 at 11:00 am at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will follow the graveside service at Katie O’Keefes. Online condolences may be left at gardencityfh.com.

Rex Warner Paddock, son of Otis and Alta (Foote) Paddock, was born April 18, 1933 in Terry, Montana. He attended schools in the Hamilton and Corvalis area and graduated from Corvalis High School. Rex enlisted in the United State Air Force after graduating and was honorably discharged. After his service, Rex was united in marriage with Elizabeth Jobe in June of 1959; four children were born to this union. The couple later separated.

Rex worked as a sawyer for various logging companies for over 30 years, and could skillfully fall a tree in any situation. He later worked for the electric co-op for many years and concluded his working career by retiring from the US Forest Service at the ripe age of 84. Rex was known for his hard work, who took pride in his vocations. In his younger years, he enjoyed the Montana outdoors; camping, hunting and fishing in his free time. The family outings were often at Brown’s Lake. Rex loved cribbage; he was known all over the United States but especially across the State of Montana for his skilled play. He was the Director of the local American Cribbage Congress club. Rex won countless tournaments and loved travelling to the competitions. He cherished spending time with his family, friends and cribbage enthusiasts. Above all else, he was a devoted father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who will be greatly missed. Rex was active and independent up until the week of his passing.

Left to cherish his memory are his four children; Tammy Dailey; Connie Kotecki; Karl (Ciara) Paddock; Myron Paddock; nine grandchildren; three great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Alta Paddock; brothers, Harley Paddock; Rober “Pat” (Irene) Paddock; sisters, Birdie (Bill) Dallman; Viola (Bob) Templeton; Ellen (Jess) Rogers.