Gordon Rex Smith

Gordon Rex Smith, 84, of Fort Collins, CO, passed away on June 2, 2022 after a lengthy battle with dementia and a short hospital stay. Rex was born on May 4, 1938 to Jack and Velma Smith in Imperial, NE. He spent his early years on the family farm outside of Champion, NE. His childhood was spent hunting the surrounding area especially on the Frenchman River which was near the family home. From 1945 to 1953 Rex attended a one room elementary school 3 miles from the house and often rode a horse to class. In 1953 the family moved to Imperial. After graduating from Chase County High School,

Rex spent two years cutting custom hay before going on to study Drafting and

Engineering at Graceland University. He ultimately graduated with a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE. While attending college in Lincoln, Rex met his future wife Mary Ellen Donjon in Imperial. They were married on October 8, 1960. During their 61 years of marriage they had two sons, Stuart born in 1966 and Lance who came along in 1969. After graduating from the University of Nebraska with High Honors in 1963, Rex began working as an engineer with the Bureau of Reclamation in McCook, NE before moving to Lincoln and working as Assistant City Engineer. In 1980 he accepted the position of Director of Public Works for Larimer County and the family moved to Fort Collins, CO. Rex spent the next 17 years as Director of Public Works before leaving to work as a sales representative for Envirotech for two years.

His was a life lived in full by his own lights. Rex dedicated himself to the things he chose to do and was good at what he pursued. He was acknowledged as a leader in his profession and was active with and led several Civil Engineering organizations. He was a scratch golfer much of his life and won several tournaments in Lincoln as well as the Fort Collins City Tournament twice. He played guitar. He had a family that both loved and respected him. He was the guy to go to for advice on fixing anything mechanical or coming up with a way to make something work. Rex could weld, build anything with wood and was a powerful force at family Monopoly games. He was an outstanding shot with rifle and shotgun and albums are full of pictures of him with fish that he caught. He loved to plan and go on fishing trips to Canada.

Rex is survived by his wife Mary, his two sons Stuart (Donna) and Lance (Beth), his brother Gary (Marta) and five grandchildren Madeline, Lindsey, Fletcher, Hadley and Ander. The family to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins. Your patience, devotion and dedication during the final days of Rex's life eased his passing. Glad no one got hurt.

A remembrance will be held at Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W Drake Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80526 for friends and family visit any time between 2:00 - 4:00 PM Thursday June 9, 2020. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to The Alzheimer's Foundation of America https:/ alzfdn.org/support-us donate/. You may visit www.allnuttftcollins.com to share memories or leave a message of condolence for the family.