Rex Sterling Rodwell, 69, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 26, 2020 after being diagnosed with ALS two years prior. Rex was born March 2, 1951 to Jack and Leona (Kuhlman) Rodwell in Nampa, Idaho. His first years were in Nampa before the family moved to a house on Linden Street in Caldwell in 1956.
Rex graduated Caldwell High School in 1970 and attended the Arizona School of Technology in Phoenix and Boise State. In 1974 while working for Caldwell Paint and Glass, he began an apprentice glazier program, becoming a Journeyman Glazier in December 1977. He continued for 32 years as a commercial glazier, working the last 27 years for Commercial Glass in Boise. His meticulous preparation for the job and work ethic made him one of the top commercial glaziers in the valley up until his retirement in 2006.
Rex met his wife of 46 years, D’Ann, in 1972. They were married two years later and had one daughter, Jennifer. Rex was a loving and wonderful husband and father. In the early years, one could find him in the yard helping Jenni with softball and golf, or on the basketball court showing her the skills of the game. He maintained a meticulous home; every blade of grass was cut the same, every leaf was picked up, and the gravel was always raked. He maintained his vehicles the same way…they were all white and never dirty!
Rex loved the mountains, especially Warm Lake, Idaho. He would visit there often in the summer as a child, staying at his grandparents’ cabin. Through the years that was his favorite place to go camp and explore on four-wheelers. Some of his favorite rides were to Rice Lake, Angel Flight Pass, and coyote rock. He enjoyed taking friends to ride and see the views at Warm Lake.
A basketball fan, Rex LOVED the game. He was proud of his record of watching more than 585 College of Idaho men’s home basketball games since 1980 (missing 1 game in that time). In 2000, Rex and D’Ann became the “Idaho family” for then-basketball player BJ Humphreys; that opportunity gave Rex a “son”. They had an immediate connection, and Rex and BJ had many adventures in the mountains riding four-wheelers to remote places, setting up hunting camp, and having endless conversations about basketball and life.
Rex believed in helping others and volunteered his time at the C of I on various projects in the athletic department. A perfectionist, his work showed through in each project. Rex was very humble and never wanted to be acknowledged; however, he was awarded the College of Idaho’s President’s Medallion for his commitment to the college and in 2019 was inducted with D’Ann into the College of Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents, sister Linda Lane, and brother Jeff Rodwell. Rex is survived by his wife, D’Ann of Caldwell; daughter Jenni (Josh) Ginsburg of Indianapolis, IN; son BJ Humphreys (Becca) of Eagle; grandchildren Piper and Berklee Humphreys (grandpa’s pride and joy); sister Gregg Ann Rodwell; nieces, a nephew, cousins and many wonderful friends.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Steven Koga, Journeys Hospice, Becca Humphreys and Lori Owen for all their love and support during Rex’s last days.
Donations may be made to College of Idaho Men’s Basketball, c/o Colby Blaine, 2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, Idaho 83605 (include a note or memo ‘in honor of Rex’).
A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 30, 2021 at the J.A. Albertson Activities Center, located on the College of Idaho Campus, Caldwell, Idaho. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com
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