Rex was a veteran serving our country during WWII in the Army Air Corp in China, Burma, India and the Pacific Theatre. He married Evelyn McVicar on January 17, 1943 in Lake City and she preceded him in death. Rex was a published author. His books, “Tall Trees Tall People” and “Price of Pride” sold over two thousand copies. During retirement his hobbies included woodworking, building grandfather clocks and reading.

Rex is survived by his children, Kay (Gar) Jex of Montrose, Dave (Evelyn) Southwell of Etters, Penn., Don (Glenna) Southwell of Wayne, Ill., Del (Gayle) Southwell of Mancelona and Phil (Kim) Southwell of Hesperia; 22 grandchildren; and 40 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Rex in death were his siblings, Harold, Bryce and Edna.

Visitation was held on Monday, Aug. 22nd from 6:00 until 9:00 pm at Wolfe-O’Neill Funeral Home. The funeral service was on Tuesday at 1:00 pm at the funeral home with David B. Southwell officiating. Burial will be at Coldsprings Township Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Victory Baptist Church, 1538 Nash Terrace, Port Charlotte, Florida 33953 or Calvary Baptist Church, 815 Dresden, Kalkaska, MI 49646.

    On the 12th deck was the Garden Cafe, a large buffet where every imaginable kind of food was available through almost all the day and evening.  It opened on the stern with a large outside dining area.  We ate most of our meals and snacks there.  The food was fabulous and offered more different things than you could imagine.  In the morning I ate watermelon, pineapple, and sometimes muskmelon or honeydew melon but I majored on the pineapple and watermelon.  Of course I finished with solid food according to my taste for the day. Everything you could imagine was available..

    Del and Gayle had a big bed and there was a daybed they opened for me each evening which was very comfortable..

    The weather was almost calm the entire trip.  We departed from Miami Saturday Evening January 16th and were at sea until Monday morning when we reached Semana where we boarded a very comfortable bus for a trip through the mountains of northeastern Dominican Republic,

    We were again at sea Monday night arriving at Tortolla, British Virgin Islands, Tuesday morning where we chose a taxi to tour the mountains.  At the 1400 foot level there was a lookout and the driver was able to show both the British and American Virgin Islands and identify them on a map he conveniently carried.  We followed the shoreline along the beach back to the ship, viewing a much more affluent area than had been evident in the mountains.

    Overnight we moved to the American Virgin Islands arriving at the town of Charlotte Amilee on Wednesday. where we enjoyed visiting an obviously old settlement the downtown section of which consisted of huddled shops and very narrow streets.

    Wednesday evening we departed St. Thomas and were at sea two nights and a day before arriving at Stirrup Bay in the Bahamas Friday morning..  We chose to enjoy the luxury of the ship on Friday before departing for the home port of Miami in the Evening.

    Saturday morning was one last enjoyable breakfast before leaving the ship and arriving at my home in El Jobean Florida about noon.  It was a truly glorious adventure.

    When you call I’ll tell you about the Coast Guard meeting the ship and hovering overhead while picking up a person who developed a medical emergency and needed treatment on shore.

More at  a later date



    For myself, I will strive to be ever closer to my Lord and Savior and try to take as good care as possible of my mind and body.

    I will attempt to do good to all people, especially to those of the household of faith and to my physical family. 

    My work goals in Florida are to finish 3 dressers for 3 of Phil’s daughters, make Christmas gifts for my 10 children and something nice for Ellie.

    Work goals in Michigan are to finish thinning the woodlot across the driveway from my house and finish cutting the ironwood on Del’s property as far south as Priests Pond.

    No connection to the above but today I plan virtually nothing in the garage but hope to clean the car, clean out the flower beds and fertilize the flowers, and put away my Christmas star.  The afternoon will be relaxed as I watch football and if the spirit so moves get the first of the year bills paid and put stuff away.  Almost certainly the latter items will be postponed.

    I wish each of you a happy, healthy, fruitful and prosperous New Year.  It all begins with our relationship with our Lord and Savior.

Rex Southwell



    This morning I made cake and sauce with the blueberries you brought to take to the 1:00PM party with the Hall side of Don’s family at Kenny and Myra Crawford’s on the Jordan River.  I timed how long it took to cook and it was thirty five minutes.  I’m sorry I didn’t warn you.

    This evening Del and Gayle will come help me consume some of the peaches we didn’t eat night before last.  Tomorrow evening I will go to Oxbow lake to share in a Don Glenna and expanded family feast on Don’s goose stew.  Incidentally, Phil’s family consumed my Thai goose before turning to the chicken.  That pleased me.  Tuesday evening I will partake of a six O’clock supper at the Baptist church in Mancelona and listen to Pastor Earnhart expound from the scriptures afterwards.  On Wednesday I’ll return to normal activities.  The Labor Day excitement was desirable and beneficial as will be the return to my daily labors.  The only other scheduled activity, to my knowledge, is to have an opportunity to host a missionary from Papua, New Guinea, viz. Aaron Jex, the first weekend in October.

Price of Pride was first published in March 2009 and has sold more than 250 copies.  It covers the life of Grace and Grover’s son, Rex.  He acknowledges being rebellious at times and tells of the hardships brought on by his indiscretions.    

Books can be purchased from other sources.  Bookstores will order them, however, they are not stocked.  The advantage of ordering at Southwell.net is that any books ordered will be in stock and will be autographed by the author.

 Feel free to comment and give us your thoughts.

Rex Southwell