Obituaries

James "Rex" Fortner

Photo of James "Rex" Fortner
James "Rex" Fortner, 68, of Garfield, passed away at his home on Dec. 19, 2015. He was born at home in St. Joe, Ark. to Otto Isom and Jessie Osler Elam Fortner on Feb. 8, 1947. Rex grew up in Harrison, Ark. and graduated from Harrison High School in 1966. He joined the U.S. Navy the same year where he was an aviation structural mechanic and served aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. He returned home in 1967 and married Judith Ann Richey in Lead Hill, Ark. Upon completion of his military duty, Rex attended Arkansas Tech University where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Parks Management. He, his wife, Judy, and their three children moved to Rogers in 1974; and after serving one year as Director of the Boy's Club, went on to become Superintendent of Parks for the City of Rogers until his retirement in 2006. Rex enjoyed farming, horses, camping with his family and grandchildren and after retirement became proficient at making saddles and doing leatherwork. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ray Fortner of Lakewood, Calif.; two sisters, Nadine Davenport of Morrilton, Ark., and Myrtlee Anderson of Holyrood, Kan.; and a daughter-in-law, Kim Fortner. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Judy; daughter, Chrissie Doyle (Jamey); two sons, Brad Fortner (Tammy) and Jason Fortner, all of Garfield; 10 grandchildren, who were the light of his life: Sara Salisbury (Jess) of Farmington, Spencer and Sadie Doyle, Jessica, Emma, Lilly, Bradley, Brently, Madison, and Mallory Fortner, all of Garfield; three sisters: Ellen Langston (Bob) of Holyrood, Kan., Lucy Dart of Harrison, Judy Dart (Paul) of Harrison; and a brother, Charles Fortner (Wanda) of Pindall, Ark. Visitation will be at Rollins Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Service will be at Pea Ridge Free Will Baptist Church on Lee Town Rd. in Pea Ridge at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Burial will be private in the Fortner Family Cemetery. Arrangements are by Rollins Funeral Home of Rogers. www.RollinsFuneral.com.

Published December 21, 2015

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