Rex C. Groom

Rex C. Groom, 86, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away peacefully from age-related complications Friday, November 5, 2010 at the Pine Brook Assisted Living Center in Idaho Falls. He was born June 2, 1924, the second son to Charles Nathan Groom and Maud Rachel Allen in Ucon, Idaho. He attended schools in Ucon and graduated from high school there in 1943. He married Gwen Smith the next year, 20 Jan, 1944, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He also enlisted in the United States Air Force at the same time and the newlyweds spent the first few years moving to various parts of the United Sates for his training before he was shipped overseas. He served as a member of a B-17 crew until the end of the war when he returned to Idaho and he and Gwen settled down on property adjacent to his father. He started his own mechanic business and helped out with the farm. A lifelong resident of Idaho Falls, Rex spent his years as a rancher and owner of his own business, Rex’s Auto and Car Sales. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed many vacations with family and friends exploring the northwestern United States, Canada and Alaska. He loved to fish and hunt. He also loved flowers and built his own greenhouse. He grew many varieties of flowers and people drove miles to see his gardens and flower beds every summer. Rex was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in the bishopric in the Garfield Ward, a temple worker at the Idaho Falls Temple and as a member of the Rigby Stake High Council. While in the high Council, he was in charge of building the Cordon Park Recreational Area in Rigby, Idaho. In which he took a lot of pride. Rex is survived by his daughter Mrs. Ian (Kate) Conyard of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; two grandchildren, Kelson and Leila Conyard; a brother, Max A. (Ruth) Groom of Rigby, Idaho; four sisters: Mrs. Frank (Vada) Hall and Mrs. Max (Gloria) Hammon both of Idaho Falls, Mrs. Von (Barbara) Herbst of Blackfoot and Mrs. Gerald (Helen) Holman of Ririe. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at the Garfield Church. At Max’s request, there will be a private family viewing. Interment will be in the Ucon Cemetery, under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.