Rex Leland Strickland, 71 of Wendell, Idaho passed away November 22, 2020 in Twin Falls, Idaho. Rex was born January 25, 1949 to Byron Ora Strickland and Elva Hess Strickland in Challis, Idaho. They moved to Wendell when he was 3 days old in January 1949. His father risked driving through snow drifts and ended up getting stuck outside of Arco. He walked into Arco to get a wrecker, and when he went to pay for the tow, the owner told him it was free due to all the business he had received from going out to get them.

They lived in an apartment above the M&W Market. His brother, Dee, was born in Gooding in 1950 at the Gooding Hospital, which is now Ridley’s Grocery Store in the produce section.

They then moved to Redondo Beach, California in 1951. His father worked in aircraft for a few years then started working as a carpenter in Torrance, California in 1953. His sister, Phyllis, was born in 1954 in Reno, Nevada.

They lived in California until 1960 then moved to Fallon, Nevada. He attended junior and senior high school in Fallon and graduated in 1967.

Rex joined the Marine Corps in 1968 and then went to Viet Nam. When he returned, he married Mary Elizabeth Phillips. They had two daughters, Sandra Diane was born June 29, 1971 and then Amanda Jane was born December 28, 1973. Rex and Mary were later divorced in 1979.

Rex enlisted in the US Army in 1975 where he was stationed in Washington State, Germany, and Fort Hood, Texas, as well as California.

In 1984, after getting out of the Army, he worked for Tupperware in Jerome until their closing. He then attended CSI to earn his welding certificate after which he moved to Fairfield, Idaho to work in the Gold Mines until their closing. He then worked in several stores and service stations.

In December 1992, he met Nance Elaine Bennett through his mother. They were married June 16, 1993 and later divorced in 2019.

Rex is survived by his daughters, Diane and Amanda; his stepchildren, Blake, Jade, and Angela; 12 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, December 3, 2020 at the Wendell Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am. Graveside dedication will conclude at Wendell Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Rex’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.