Rex BALLEW

BALLEW, GREENROD, ASHLEY-HILLYARD, ASHLEY-BARBER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/19/2009 at 00:59:57

Tacoma News Tribune
Tacoma, Washington
November 17, 1996

OBITUARY - REX BALLEW

July 1, 1925 - October 17, 1996

Rex BALLEW died peacefully at Kelsy Creek facility in Bellevue on Thursday, Oct. 17, 1996. He was the second child of John Millard BALLEW and Georgia Marie (GREENROD) BALLEW and was born in Mount Ayr, Iowa on July 1, 1925. Living with his family in St. Joseph, MO and graduating from Lafayette High School Class of 1943. He entered active service in the United State Navy July 23, 1943 serving in the Pacific Theater as Aviation Radioman Second Class and leaving service on Oct. 1945, but serving in reserves for several years. Rex received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Gold Star and was attached to the Composite Squadron Ninety Six in the Ryukyu Islands during the last months of WWII. Returning to civilian life, he worked for Southwestern Bell Telco for three years before joining the United States Coast Guard in Aug. 1949, as Electrician's Mate Telephone Second Class based at Port Angels and being discharged in Oct. 1952. Rex had a long and successful career with the CAA which later became the Federal Aviation Administration in 1958. He was an Air Traffic Controller and Communications Specialist. He began service in Nome, Alaska in 1952 and worked at several outlined sites, then moving to Fairbanks in 1955 where he met and married Lois Weber, his wife of 39 years. Rex worked at several locations, Spokane, San Diego, Anchorage, Kansas City, Seattle, Salt Lake, Las Vegas and back to Seattle ARTCC in 1969. When computer automation systems became a reality, Rex specialized in this field as a data Systems programmer. He served in the Auburn Center and at other sites for 10 years until his retirement in Aug. 1980 as Automation Specialist. Later he worked for contractors after his retirement from the FAA. In early 1978 Rex was a member of a team of FAA experts sent to Tehran, Iran. The Team's mission was to help the government design and upgrade the air traffic control system in that country. It was meant to be a long term project, but the revolution intervened. By the end of 1978 most of the team members had departed for calmer shores.

Rex lived in Puyallup for 27 years and is survived by his wife Lois, sister Rose Marie (BALLEW) ASHLEY-HILLYARD of St. Joseph, MO, brother Ronald J. BALLEW of Long Beach, CA and nieces Kelly ASHLEY-BARBER of St. Joseph, MO and a grand-niece and grand-nephew. His parents preceded him in death.

Rex was an avid reader and was interested in many subjects. He had a wry sense of humor, was interesting to talk with, and very perceptive. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Cremation was arranged through the People's Memorial Assn. at Bleitz Funeral Home in Seattle. No services were held in compliance with his wishes.

Remembrances may be made to Diabetes Assn. of Pierce Co.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009