SARALAND, AL - Walter T. Rex, 85, went home to be with the Lord on December 21, 2010.

Walt was born in Philadelphia, PA, moved to South Florida in 1960, and finally settled in Saraland, AL in 2006 to be near his family.

Walt was a proud WWII veteran and one of the few remaining survivors of the Normandy Invasion. At age 19, he survived the beach assault on Omaha Beach, but sustained a paralyzing spinal cord injury two weeks later during his advance towards Cherbourg.

Life confined to a wheelchair did not keep him from owning a successful beverage distributing business and a Hallmark Card Shop in Philadelphia.

He and his wife, Maggie, developed and built Rex Heights in Louisburg, NC. He continued as an independent real estate developer in South Florida. For many years he was a member of, and participant in, the American Wheelchair Bowling Association. The Paralyzed Veterans Association (PVA) was Walt’s passion. He was a longtime board member and chief fund-raiser of the South Florida Chapter. From the time of his injury and rehab, he had been an active advocate for wheelchair accessibility issues and VA treatment for paralyzed vets. He was honored in 2004 to represent the PVA as President George W. Bush dedicated the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; his loving wife, Margaret Moore Rex (Maggie); and a grandson, Jon Gregory Catlett.

He is survived by his stepson, Lorenzo Catlett (Cindy); grandson, Glen Catlett (Kimberly); and great-grandson, Joshua Catlett, all of Saraland, AL; nephews, Raymond Rex (Linda), Robert Rex (Tina), and Charles Rex (Susan) of Florida; Rev. William Rex and Walter Rex of PA; nieces, Diane Widzins and Nancy Rex of Florida; Barbara Senft (Andy) of PA; many loved great-nieces and great-nephews; one great-great-nephew and one great-great-niece; and wonderful friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Paralyzed Veterans Association, Mercy Medical Hospice, the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals, or First Baptist North Mobile Church.

Funeral service will be in the chapel of Strickland Funeral Home on Monday, January 3, at 12:00 p.m. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will follow with Military Honors at Lancaster Memorial Park

Arrangements are by Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, Louisburg.

www.stricklandfuneralhome.net

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