Rex Allen Kanel (Seymour)'s Obituary
Rex Alan Kanel, son of George and Carol Sue (Helms) Kanel was born August 30, 1970 in Springfield, Missouri. On August 25, 2012 Rex departed this life in El Paso, Texas at the age of forty one years, eleven months and twenty six days.
Born and raised in the area, Rex enjoyed coon hunting with his friends, and loved living on the farm. He had a special place in his heart for his grandparents. In high school Rex enjoyed going to conventions and was a proud member of Future Farmers of America. He graduated from Seymour High School in 1989.
After school Rex traveled around, settling the last few years in El Paso, Texas. It was there at the Christian Home that he began to embrace the love of Christ. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized on July 17, 2007 surrounded by over one hundred church family and friends in attendance. He became a member of the Coronado Baptist Church. Rex began his walk in faith and gave back to the community by serving at the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners and served as a Duty Officer. Throughout his life Rex faced many challenges, but he continued to care for others and sought to build a firm foundation in the word of God.
In 2008, he was nearly finished with his Western Tech Diesel mechanic classes and was making all A’s. He moved into an apartment and gave rides to his fellow house mates from the Christian Home. Over the years he worked in landscaping, a machinist, carpenter, and in his earlier years he worked with his father on the family farm.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents Mildred and Ralph Kanel, and Otis and Faye Helms and Dirl Helms.
Rex is survived by his parents George and Carol Sue Kanel of Seymour, Missouri; his sisters Melinda Reinschmidt of Joplin, Missouri, Stacey Goodwin and husband Doug of Camdenton; several nieces and nephews, cousins and a host of other dear family and friends.
He enjoyed working on model cars and planes, reading, football, watch car races, drag races, monster trucks and tractor pulls. He loved working with his hands and serving his church family and friends.
A gentle and loving man, a faithful friend, son and brother; Rex leaves behind the truth of laying down his life and picking up his cross for Christ. We celebrate the life of Rex Alan Kanel and will cherish the moments we were given. Although we will miss him, we can take comfort from knowing that one day we will meet again.
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