Rex Colbert Whisenand

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, sadly passed away at his home on April 1st, 2014 at the age of 78.

He was born on the Cimarron River, 12 miles west of Elkhart, Kansas on March 10, 1936 to Kenneth D. Whisenand and Lenora A. Whisenand.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Bernice (Bea); son Rick Whisenand; daughter Karen Ikeda; sons, Alex Kelley (Nahoko), Mark Whisenand (Andrea); granddaughters, Hana Kelley, and Sheryl Neal (Brian); grandson, Dennis Jaramillo; and two great-grandchildren; Sisters: Mary Alice Adams, Ula Mae Redd, and Betty Cowgill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Kimberly Kelley, and brother Keith Whisenand.

Rex served in the U.S. Army for 21 years, and was a Korean and Vietnam War veteran. After retiring from the service, he became a court reporter for 26 years, and later retired as a manager for Walgreens after 10-years.

Rex was an avid fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Arizona Cardinals. He loved to cook, travel, and enjoyed playing poker immensely with his friends. He will be remembered for his gentle personality, patience, work ethic, and mentor to his children. He will be greatly missed by all his friends and family.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday April 8th at 9:30 A.M (visitation 8:30AM) at Shadow Mountain Mortuary, 2350 E. Greenway Rd., Phoenix.

Interment will follow immediately at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

Published in The Arizona Republic on Apr. 6, 2014