Rex Lingerfelt (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Rex Leroy Lingerfelt, Sr. passed away on Sunday, October 14, 2018 in Bolivar, MO surrounded by family. He was born in Atchison County, MO on February 20, 1934 to Cecil Kelly Lingerfelt and Mary Belle Lewis Cook Lingerfelt. He will be remembered as a Kansas City businessman, community activist, and musician.
Rex lived a life full of music. He learned to play the guitar as a youth and followed that passion throughout his life. He began his career in music in Omaha, NE in the 1950s where he shared the stage with musicians like Jim Reeves and Little Jimmy Dickens as the lead guitarist for Cliff Johnson and the Harmony Boys. Throughout the 1960s he performed in the Kansas City area with his band Rex Lee and the Country Gentlemen. In his later years, Rex performed throughout Missouri and at events in Arizona with Speedy Haworth of Ozark Jubilee fame, both in his own band, Country Sunshine, and in Haworth’s Tall Timber Band.
Rex retired to the Humansville, MO area in the early 1980s and was active in political causes, community events, and volunteering. He will be remembered for his music, his wonderful sense of humor, and the countless hours he gave to helping those in need, especially the elderly.
Rex is survived by his wife, Margaret Ellen Lingerfelt; his daughter, Peggy O’Rourke of Pittsburg, MO; three grandchildren: Jennifer Vinck of Pittsburg, MO, Dana Boatright of Belton, MO, and David Lingerfelt of Kansas City, MO; one great-granddaughter, Claire Lingerfelt of Kansas City, MO; two sisters: Joan Harper of Killeen, TX and Marcine Hannah of Tarkio, MO; and eleven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Rex Lingerfelt, Jr.
Memorial contributions can be made in Rex's honor to the Big Springs Activity Fund
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