On my 60th Birthday a few years back, I received a phone call from Coach Warner, a man whom I hadn't seen or spoken to for almost 40 years.  This was his way. Once you had a relationship with Coach Warner, forged on the fields of sports, it was forever.  During this phone call, and another I received on my 65th, he told me about other sports comrades.  No other single mentor or coach had more influence on my life that Coach Warner.  He was a rare guy.
Chris Hamilton, Beavercreek Class of 66

Ode to a Coach

My football and track coach, Rex Warner, died last week. 
I saw him last summer at a luncheon for our fast pitch softball team at Buffalo Jacks in Covington. He was his usual self, recalling former players and where they were now and what they were doing. He had an uncanny memory. We all wanted to plan another reunion for the following year, but he said no, that a year down the road was too far to predict. He knew. There is a large empty space in the world today.

Coach, you touched my life in countless ways just as you touched the lives of so many others.  You were authoritarian and sternness on the outside and all kindness and gentleness on the inside. Although it was time for you to leave - you are free now from the pain  we who remain will carry the sadness and shed the tears for the gentle giant and courageous man you were, the one who counseled us and taught us and coached us. You, who taught us how to block and tackle and be strong in the face of adversity. You, who taught us how to laugh and have fun and who taught us the value of hard work. Who taught us how to win humbly and lose graciously. A great emptiness overwhelms us. But we will go on and do what you have taught us. You are El Coach. You will be in my memory forever.

My father Robert Reed, passed away on April 20 and sad but ironic that Rex passed away on the 22nd of April.  Dad was on the school board that hired Rex for what I believe was Rex's first teaching/coaching job.  He was a great man and touched so many lives.  I'm sure that he and dad are sharing some memories of the great football teams that he helped produce in Bradford.

My husband in 9th grade was thin and didn't go out for football because he didn't think he was big enough.  Then a "knock of the door" by Coach Warner, a chat, and the rest of the story, he played football all four years, and was a big part in helping the team win games.  Coach Warner is a special kind of guy.  Alice Shively Francis

May I extend my most heartfelt sympathy to Coach Warner's family and friends. We have lost another giant, both in stature and in the impact he had in Beavercreek's High School athletics.  I will always remember him as our head football coach.  He had an imposing persona but a gentle spirit.  It was such a pleasure to see him again when my father played with him in the senior softball league.  Now they're together again, I'm sure, enjoying some type of sports in heaven!

I met Coach Warner when I was an 8th grader.  He has been my inspiration, mentor and friend ever since.  Last Friday, I had the great privilege to talk to him and remember with him before he passed away the next day.  In short, I have never known a kinder and more loving man.  He was my role model, as a coach, teacher, and friend.  I took the opportunity to tell him again how much he meant to me and to tell him how much I loved him.  With all my love to Gloria and family.  Until we all meet again.  Ron Petty

I met Coach Warner when I was an 8th grader.  He has been my inspiration, mentor and friend ever since.  Last Friday, I had the great privilege to talk to him and remember with him before he passed away the next day.  In short, I have never known a kinder and more loving man.  He was my role model as a coach, teacher, and friend.  I took the opportunity to tell him again, how much he meant to me and to tell him how much I loved him.  With all my love to Gloria and family.  Until we all meet again.  Ron Petty, Bradford, Ohio, class of 1957.

Gloria, You were married to a man that I respected and admired while I taught at Beavercreek High School.  Rex looked a lot like John Wayne and was loved by all the coaches and athletes that he came in contact.  His calm; but firm demeanor served him well in life!  I was just informed today of his passing-ex post facto!  I didn't get the opportunity to pay my respects; so instead I'm sharing my condolences via Tobias email.  May Rex's memory be etched in the minds of all whom he touched!  Sincerely,                                                                     James Dearwester Retired Beavercreek Teacher & Coach

Dear Bob and Lisa,
Our sincere condolences at the loss of Bob's father.  I wonder if he knew my cousin John (Jack) Butler, who coached at Beavercreek.
The online tributes to Rex attest to a fine man.  Like father, like son.
Thinking of you, Jerry and Phyllis

We as high school football players always hated running wind sprints and practicing all those extra thing we had to do to get ready for Friday nights football games. However, we loved playing our hearts out for a coach named Rex Warner because we knew he cared for every one of us as he would for his own children. I cannot believe that there was ever a high school coach that was ever loved more that this man by every single player on that 1956- undefeated Bradford team. Then after graduating I was also privileged to have been able to play fast pitch softball with Rex for quite a number of years and had some great winning teams playing what seemed to be all around Ohio. There is another bright STAR shining in Heaven now that Rex has gone to be with our Lord. I am praying for Gloria and her family and pray that they have some comfort in knowing just how much her loved one was loved by so many. I will see you again my friend.

Thank You, Coach, for all that YOU done for others in the sports for Beavercreek High School. YOU inspired me to be successful in Track & Field(1964-1967)throwing that heavy Shot and Discus. It made me understand that a "Can Do" can become an accomplishment like life. You sent me a card later in my years talking about those successes of life. I thank You for that acknowledgement. The Gates of Heaven opened up to let a Leader & Coach enter to help fill "The Field of Dreams". Thank You, Coach, for being my Mentor of Life.

It was an honor to have known and worked with Rex at BHS.  He was an excellent teacher, coach, AD and human being.  He was one of my favorite people.  Condolences and best wishes to Gloria and the family.

Coach Warner was my inspiration for life and I will miss him. I was a member of the 62 football team and wore his college number and remember when he came to my mothers funeral. My sympathies to his family. HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND ROLE MODEL. Dick Gibson, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Rex Warner dedicated his life to serving others and helping young adults grow into productive members of the community. Rex was respected by everyone and treated everyone with dignity and honor.  His leadership of the Beavercreek High School Athletic Department was instrumental in the many successes that the program enjoyed for many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of the Warner family.  May God bless you all during this difficult time.
Doug Cline / BHS Class of 1977

Thoughts and prayers to the family. We've lost a great person and coach. RIP coach  Danny Stanaford Beavercreek  High "66"

I can't imagine what you must be feeling right now, but I want you to know that we are just a phone call away. My heartfelt condolences.

Lion Rex was a member of our Beavercreek Lions Club for 46 wonderful years, and we were blessed to know him. He was a wonderful man, always gracious and a true gentleman, and he loved to help others. We will miss you dearly, Lion Rex.  Thank you for being a part of my life.

Our sincere sympathy to each of the Warner family.  Words can not fill the void we feel.  Rex led by example and will continue to live on in spirit. 
                                                                    Ben and Mona Fae O'Diam

So very sorry for your loss, a man whose intention was to serve and live by example the word of God.  Our prayers are with the family.   ~ The Lopez Family

So sorry for your loss.  Will be so missed at Peace.  Prayers for the family.

My sincere condolences to the Warner family. We have lost a great coach, mentor, and gentleman. Coach Warner taught me key blocking techniques at BHS; but, his dedication, teamwork, and leadership by example were the most important lessons that I carried with me throughout a successful career as an Air Force officer and fighter pilot. He was a man who made a positive difference in every player he coached. God bless and welcome him.

Russ "Skip" Masters
#50 Center, BHS '62

Coach Warner influenced my life as a young female who loved to play sports. He took over the girls sports program at Bradford High School when no FEMALE teacher would. During that time I played softball, ran track (Which I hated but did it because he asked me to do it.) and played basketball. He even taught us some tumbling in our gym classes.  I went on to play tennis at Sinclair College. 
Thank you Coach Warner for being a positive influence in my life.

 Rex Warner was a Great Coach and Teacher at Bradford High School in the middle 50's.  He taught Bradford Football Players how to win and give everything you got when you do something.  I had a great amount of respect for Coach  Warner .  

Jan A. Mottinger-- Bradford Class of 1956
Bradford,Ohio

So sad this strong gentle man is no longer with us but I am so thankful I could know him as one of his pastors. Like many of his generation, his strength and perseverance in the midst of health challenges was an inspiration to me. Thanks, Rex, for listening, for caring, for giving and sharing,for being the solid dependable person you will always be when I think of you. Prayers especially for you, Gloria.Pastor Bob Brown

Prayers for all of you during this time.
Rex and you have been such sweet neighbors.  I enjoyed the stories Rex would tell me of how the neighborhood had grown, of when he was a coach and hearing him laugh when I would bring Roscoe over.  One time, I saw him sneak a piece of toast to Roscoe and he laughed when Roscoe sat near his feet.  I will never forget when he fell asleep on your back patio table last summer and I went up to him calling his name and patting his arm--well, he woke up and I do not know what my face looked like--but he asked me if I was ok---we really had a good laugh. Rex was a kind and compassionate man.
God's Blessings.

Coach was a kind, generous & loving man. He was like my second dad with his large statue backed up by a gentle nature with a kind soul.  
I have talked with coach many times, he attended both my parents funerals, bought him lunch at Marion's, worked with him to have our 50th football anniversary, he contacted each of his players on the 60th birthdays, he visited my mom before she moved out of her home & was my best memory of high school teachers. 
He will be greatly missed & the world is without one of her greatest souls. Love you & miss you coach. My sympathy to Gloria. Bevercreek will miss him.
Dennis Puckett class of '63 & football class of '62

I have talked with coach many times, he attended both my parents funerals, bought him lunch at Marion's, worked with him to have our 50th football anniversary, he contacted each of his players on the 60th birthdays, he visited my mom before she moved out of her home & was my best memory of high school teachers. 
He will be greatly missed & the world is without one of her greatest souls. Love you &  miss you coach. My sympathy to Gloria.
Dennis Puckett class of '63 & football class of '62

Prayers for all of you during this time.  Rex was a very kind and good man..

God's Blessings,

Bob and Judy Conover

Dear Friends,

We are so glad to have known Rex for about 15 years.  Recently, we got to know him and Gloria deeper.  May God bless you and family knowing that our hope in Christ tells us we will see him again.  His comfort, peace, and prayers for all of you.

So sorry to hear of Rex's passing. I was football coach at Versailles when Rex coached at Bradford and always liked and respected him as a coach and person.  I'm sure he will be looked upon by others in his next life as he was in this life.

Inspiring coach and teacher
Mark Eidemiller

SUPER GUY HERE ! STRONG, STERN AND A LOT OF MEMORIES !

To the Family of Rex Warner; Our Prayers & thoughts are with all of you. Rex was such a very thoughtful person & never forgot the boys that he coached, two of them were my brothers. God Bless all of you, Bill & Sandy Drieling..... Bradford, Ohio

The Warner Family.
You have lost a wonderful husband, dad and grandpa and we have lost a dear friend.I was blessed to have known and played sports for Coach Warner back in the 50's at Bradford High School. He was a special guy and I well never forget those years. RIP my friend.

Jack Stoler Class of 1956

OBITUARY

Rex Eugene Warner

October 10, 1929 – April 22, 2017

Tobias Funeral Home - Beavercreek Chapel

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