Rexford Eugene Sturkie Jr.

Rexford Eugene Sturkie, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and veteran, age 86 of Lexington, SC passed away on May 8th, 2025 in the Warriors Walk at William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Columbia, SC.

Born December 11, 1938 in Lexington, SC, he was the son of Rexford Eugene Sturkie, Sr. and Louvelia Shull Sturkie.

After high school, Rex, enlisted in the US Marines where he attained the rank of Corporal. During his service he took part in missions all over the world including Europe, Africa, and Vietnam. As a Helicopter Crew Chief during service in Vietnam, Corporal Sturkie completed more than 40 missions. For his courage and heroic conduct, he was presented with a Gold Star and Air Medal by The President of the United States. After serving his country, Rex had a long and outstanding career in the Insurance and Mortgage industry. After leaving the corporate world behind in 1984, Rex founded a mortgage brokerage firm which is still in existence today. In retirement, Rex enjoyed fishing, boating, and even built and flew his own airplane.

He is survived by three children, Brenda Sturkie and her husband Tracy of Lexington, SC, Vincent Sturkie and his wife Sandra of Greenville, SC, and Jason Sturkie and his wife Amanda of Honea Path, SC; brother, Donald Sturkie and his wife Betty Ann; brother, Bill Sturkie; sister, Ann Connor and her husband Cal, all of Lexington, SC; 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years, Freddie Sue Farrow Sturkie, and grandson, Christopher Bowles.

The funeral service will be held at 4:00 PM on May 10th, 2025 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home – West Columbia Chapel, 820 West Dunbar Road, West Columbia, SC 29170 and will be officiated by Reverend Rick Knight. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 3:00 PM at the funeral home. Graveside will follow at Southland Memorial Gardens in West Columbia.

The family will be at their respective homes.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Warriors Walk and William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center for their attention and care during this most difficult time.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209.