Rex Berton Ransom

Rex Berton Ransom departed this life to the waiting arms of Almighty God on May 14th, 2021 at the age of 96. Rex was born on April 25th, 1925 in Tiffin, Ohio to Ralph Harold Burlew and Clella Mae Burlew (née Wood). He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Mirta Ransom, his three children Stephen Ransom, Deborah Hampton (Joe, deceased) and Valerie Garnett (Dave), and seven grandchildren, Christopher Ransom, Tina Randolph, Michelle Creel, John Ebert, Shane Smith, Jason Smith, Brandy Kay Smith, his ten great grandchildren, and his best friend, Greg Ganas. Rex was preceded in death by his natural parents Harold and Clella, his adoptive parents, Jay and Pearl Ransom, his brothers, Robert Burlew, Richard Burlew and Betty Burlew, and by his first wife Lois Ransom (née Guest), the mother of his three children.

At age seven, amidst dire economic circumstances for the family, Rex’s parents were forced to place him and his brother in an orphanage. Shortly thereafter, Rex was adopted by Jay Grafton Ransom and his wife Pearl. Growing up on a Michigan farm in Charlevoix County, young Rex grew strong and resourceful, rising before dawn every morning to do his many chores, including milking cows, before going to school, sometimes in the bitter cold. After graduating from East Jordan High School, he attended Ferris College in Michigan, graduating as a watchmaker and jeweler. Afterwards, he worked as a certified horologist. A veteran of WWII, Rex saw combat with the 13th Air Force, 12th Airdrome Squadron in the Pacific Theater on Palawan Island and other locations during the war, attaining the rank of sergeant. A very talented, kind hearted, gentle and religious man, Rex was also an accomplished pilot, motor cyclist, and vintage car enthusiast and restorer. He was loved by many and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.