Rex James Close saw his last sunset in his beloved state of Alaska on October 27, 2017.   He was born on July 7, 1940, in Wadsworth, Ohio, to James and Olive Close.

Upon graduation from Wadsworth High School, Rex joined the Air Force where he served two tours of duty in Vietnam.   He and his wife, Shirley McGuire Close, moved to Alaska in the mid sixties.

 

Rex was a rugged outdoorsman who loved life in Alaska.   He designed and built a log cabin in Sutton, Alaska, on the edge of a glacier where he and Shirley later retired.   He loved collecting John Deere tractors and old farm machinery.

 

His wife, Shirley;  his parents, James and Olive Close; and his younger brother, Ted Close, preceded Rex in death.   He is survived by his son, Shawn Close of Portland, Oregon;  his daughter, Tanya (Dirk) Fujimoto of Anchorage, Alaska;  his precious granddaughter, Savannah of Anchorage, Alaska;  his sister, Katy (Jeff) Raynor of Suffolk, Virginia;  and his brother Kent (Kay) Close of Centerville, Ohio.