Kenneth "Rex" Wilson
KENNETH REX "REX" WILSON, 91, of Grant, Nebraska, passed away June 2, 2026, at Western Sky Community Care Center in Grant.
Rex was born July 3, 1934, in Chase County, Nebraska, the second son of Samuel Verne Wilson and Mabel Tima (Short) Wilson. In 1940, his family moved to a farm in Perkins County, six miles from Grant. He attended Perkins Pride Grade School and graduated from Perkins County High School in 1952. Wilson served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1957 to 1963. On December 27, 1959, Rex married Patricia Ann Forell at Lodgepole, Nebraska.
Rex spent his life as a farmer, rancher, and cattle feeder. His interest in livestock began in 4-H and continued through FFA in high school and across every chapter of his life. As a young man, he sheared sheep around the area and did custom wind rowing and baling to supplement the farm income. At the age of 40, he earned his private pilot's license. Rex worked part-time at Ogallala Livestock, drove a route bus and the high school activity bus, and later sold replacement windows, meeting many people along the way. Rex was deeply knowledgeable about cattle and could look at an animal and remember its history. His passion was feeding cattle and watching them grow. When his son built the cattle feed yard, Rex liked to help in any way he could.
Rex was a member of the Grant Fire Department, the Jaycees, the Elk's Club, the Grant Lions Club, and the Grant United Methodist Church, and he served on the Grant Suburban Fire Board for forty years. He never knew a stranger, loved telling stories, had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed reading and visiting with friends and family. His family was his pride and joy.
Rex was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, James Clyde Wilson and Robert Dean Wilson; his nephew, David Dean Wilson; his sister-in-law, Patricia Sue Wilson; and other family members.
Rex is survived by his loving wife, Pat, of Grant; his children, Melanie Susanne Collins (Kurt), Timothy John Wilson (Beth), and Derek Paul Wilson (Melissa); grandchildren, Alexander Robert Collins (Laura), Joshua David Collins (Hannah), Claire Nicole (Wilson) Baasch (Riley), Jake Ryan Wilson (Azia), Trevor John Wilson, Sydney Marie Wilson, Emily Annmarie Wilson, Ashley Kay (Brott) Steele, and Tyler Ray Brott (Brittany); and great-grandchildren, Mayla Jade Laura Collins, Ottolia Laura Collins, Theodore Mario Collins, June Eden Laura Collins, Baley Nicole Brott, Harley Rae Brott, Ryker Brayden Steele, Randy Joel Beau Steele, Rachel Evangeline Baasch, Bennett John Baasch, and Emerson Lilly Collins; along with many other relatives and dear friends.
A memorial has been established in Rex's memory with the intent to support these valued community resources: Hastings Memorial Library, Grant Volunteer Fire Department, and Western Sky Community Care Center. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the services will be streamed live.
Funeral services will be on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Grant United Methodist Church with Pastor Spenser Johnson officiating. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.