Rex Thomas

Rex H. Thomas, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on December 9, 2017 at the age of 57.

Rex was born in West Branch Michigan on May 7, 1960 to Harold Lee and Norma Jean Thomas. He graduated from Fairview High School, and then went on to Northwood University, to graduate with a culinary arts certificate and a degree in hotel restaurant management.

In June of 1980 he married his wife, Karen Rice, whom he met in college. Over the next 37 years, they raised three children and were blessed with six grandchildren. He spent his life working in the hospitality industry. Rex was an accomplished chef/caterer and hotel manager. He worked with socially, physically, and mentally challenged people to integrate them into jobs in the restaurant industry for E.G. Wills in Evansville Indiana. He was General Manager of the Hospitality House Motel in Grayling Michigan for nine years. Then went on to become the Senior Cook at Mercy Hospital in Grayling Michigan for nine years. Rex and his wife relocated to Florida, where he became a Retail Supervisor for Baptist Hospital. He was presently employed working for GCE, as a Project Manager at Legends Café in Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze Florida.
His pleasures in life were cooking and creating new recipes in the kitchen. Rex thoroughly enjoyed going to horse shows and watching his daughter barrel race. He enjoyed camping, reading, his Life Group friends, spending time with his family, and sunrise walks on the beach with his wife.

Rex is survived by his wife Karen Rice Thomas, his children Jonathon (Anne) Thomas, Matthew (Elizabeth) Thomas, Meghan Thomas, grandchildren Hannah, Emily, Abigail, Marcus, Eli, and Isabelle, his mother Norma Johnson Thomas Morey, and his siblings Debra (David) Chickonoski, Tamera (Joe) Collier, Jody (Gerri) Thomas, Wendy (Steve) Abbe, Wesley (Kim) Thomas, Vicki Thomas and her partner Kimberly Poitevint. He also leaves behind his beloved fur friend Bob Marely. He was preceded in death by his father Harold "Pete" Thomas.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life on December 17, 2017 at 3:00 pm. Service will be held at Community Life United Methodist Church in Gulf Breeze Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Communion Fund, care of Community Life United Methodist Church 4115 Soundside Dr, Gulf Breeze FL, 32563. Donations can also be made to Lone Survivor Foundation at www.lonesurvivorfoundation.org.

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