Rex Alcorn

James Munrex Rex Alcorn

Rex Alcorn, 94, passed away peacefully with grace and dignity on Thursday, April 21, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. Services are scheduled for Monday, April 25, 2011 at 2 pm, at Grace Community Church with Pastor Rick Hale officiating. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery.

Rex was born October 23, 1916 the seventh of eight children born to Minnie and Ezra Alcorn in Little Rock, Arkansas. Four years later the family moved to Dallas, Texas. While in Dallas, Rex attended the local YMCA where he trained in gymnastics. Upon high school graduation he went to work at Mobile Petroleum Company where he stayed for two years before leaving for the University of Texas in Austin. It was there that Rex learned how to tap dance and performed with a group on weekends earning extra money for college. He was also on the University tumbling team and at one football game entertained the crowd completing 50 flipflops back handsprings across the full length of the football field. Rex graduated from the University of Texas in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology.

In 1942 Rex enlisted in the Air Force and as a Lieutenant Colonel was sent to England where he became the photography laboratory commander for the Eighth Bomber Command photo lab. He later became the bomber command photography officer for the Ninth Air Force Bomber Command. While in England, Rex was honored to meet the future Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal family. During the war, he also traveled to Germany and France and it was in Namur, Belgium that he met his future wife, Bobbi, a professional dancer performing with the United Service Organization, the USO.

Shortly after the war, Rex moved to California for two years and worked for Hal Roach Studios. Hal Roach was well known for producing television shows such as Spanky and Our Gang. While there, Rex met many movie stars including George Burns, Bob Hope, Esther Williams, Ingrid Bergman and dear friend Van Heflin.

Later, he worked for an engineering firm which had a Navy contract in Guam. He had finally come full circle and was back in the business of geology. Upon his return to the States in 1948, he and Bobbi married in Phoenix, Arizona. They then moved to Dallas and Rex began working for Sun Oil Company while Bobbi pursued modeling. In 1951 the couple was transferred to Roswell where Rex was promoted to district geologist. Sons Dennis and David, and daughter Fawn were all born in New Mexico. Declining another transfer to Texas, Rex became an independent geologist while Bobbi opened her dance studio, the Alcorn Academy of Dance. Rex also taught boys tumbling and acrobatics there for many years.

His career was oil and gas, but his heart was in the entertainment industry. Roswellites knew Rex as a gifted Master of Ceremonies as he performed that position for virtually every organization and event in Roswell for 45 years. His most coveted role, however, was to M.C. the dance productions for the Alcorn Academy of Dance. His devotion to Bobbi and his family contributed to the 42 year history of the dance studio.

Rex was a member of or served on the board of the Roswell YMCA, Roswell Symphony Orchestra, Roswell Tennis Association, First United Methodist Church, Roswell Geological Society, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, New Mexico Geological Society, New Mexico Landman Association, Toastmasters and the Eastern New Mexico State Fair.

In his spare time, Rex enjoyed being with his family, playing tennis and traveling. He provided many hours of coaching, wisdom and fun for his children. Above all, Rex cherished and loved his wife Bobbi and was truly a gentlemans gentleman. The love and respect that Rex and Bobbi shared was a wonderful gift for their children. The love, generosity, kindness and support he gave his family were unwavering. Rex also had a wonderful sense of humor and an engaging smile that lit up a room. Rex and Bobbi would have celebrated 63 joyous years of marriage in July.

Those who will always treasure his memory are his wife, Bobbi Alcorn of Roswell son Dennis Alcorn and wife Debby of Prosper, Texas and their children Zac Wilberger, Holly and David Triche, Tracey and son Taylor Wilberger son David Alcorn of Roswell daughter Fawn AlcornPierce of Roswell. He is also survived by sisterinlaw Barbara Alcorn and several very special nieces and nephews: Flori Korf, Gary Korf and wife Cassandra, Tori and husband Andy Trujeque, Dr. Jim Alcorn, Milton Alcorn, Marsha and husband Neil Wilcox, Craig Burden and wife Gaylan, Glen Burden and wife Nancy, Annette and husband Bobby Jeffus and Nancy Brown. Rex and Bobbi were blessed to have many dear and precious friends in their lives whom they also consider family.

Preceding Rex in Heaven are his parents, siblings, soninlaw Jim Pierce and grandson Brad Wilberger.

The family is truly grateful for Dr. Evan Nelson and Rexs wonderful caregivers, Alice, Letitia, Mary, Evie, Denna, Amanda and Claudia from Encompass and Personal Care By Design. These wonderful women are very special to us, touched our hearts and took such loving care of our dear husband and father. Our deepest appreciation to Bobby, Shirley and Karina from Roswell Home Care and Hospice for their kindness, gentle hands and guidance.

Pallbearers are Billy Carlyle, Joe Vicente, Dr. Tom Longwill, Turner Carlyle, Jeff Reese and Edsel Neff.

Honorary Pallbearers are Jim Bruin, Wilbur Wilson, Jack Blevins, Gene McElvaney, Rodney Slade, Jack Ahlen, Derry Moore, Bob Cress, Bob Terry, Jim Snell, Duke Peterson, Eddie David, Dave Sorenson, Larry Harris, Dick Martin, Morgan Nelson, Bernie Ginsberg, Tom Jennings and all of Rexs tennis buddies and lifelong friends.

To honor Rexs life with a charitable gift, donations may be made to: The Alzheimers Disease and Related Orders Association, 9500 Montgomery Blvd., NE, Suite 121, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87111 The First United Methodist Church, 200 North Pennsylvania, Roswell, N.M. 88201 Grace Community Church, 935 West Mescalero, Roswell, N.M. 88201 Roswell Symphony Orchestra, 1717 West Second, Suite 205, Roswell, N.M. 88201.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Saturday, April 23, 2011
1:00 to 7:00 pm

Service

Funeral Service

Grace Community ChurchH
935 W. Mescalero
Roswell, NM  88201
Monday, April 25, 2011
2:00 pm

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

9500 Montgomery Blve., NE, Suite 121
Albuquerque, NM  87111


200 N. Pennsylvannia
Roswell, NM  88201


935 W. Mescalero
Roswell, NM  88201