Rex Irvin Brafford

Rex was born Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1937, in Vega, Texas to Claude Allen Brafford, Sr. and Dewey McGill Brafford. He attended schools in Lubbock, Belen, and graduated from Newman High School in May of 1956. He was a member of the Sweetwater FFA and 4-H clubs, showing goats, lambs and pigs.

He served in the US Air Force from May 28, 1956, to May 27, 1960, as an Airman First Class working as an aircraft mechanic.

Rex married Martha Lee Hodges on June 6, 1958, at Fort Concho in San Angelo.

During his adult life, he joined the Fisher County Sheriff's Posse, and later the Travis County Sheriff's posse and worked as a Reserve Police Officer for Bell and McCulloch counties, primarily as a recovery scuba diver for search and rescue missions. He served as a Captain in the Texas State Guard in Brady. Rex supported the US Military during maneuvers in McCulloch County by cooking barbecue meals for the troops.

He was a member of the Brady Bass Club and the Buchanan Bass Clubs for many years and supported the youth by hosting many fishing tournaments. Rex won many trophies for barbecue goat at the World Championship BBQ Goat Cook Off in Brady. He enjoyed participating in the McCulloch County Rodeo team roping events.

Rex owned and operated a Texaco station in south Austin in the early 1970s, pumping gas and fixing cars. He also worked as an installer, climbing poles for a TV cable company. Later, he operated roller-skating rinks in Austin and owned Skateland 190 in Harker Heights.

He worked many long Labor Day weekends, helping to raise money for muscular dystrophy with all-night skating parties. After the skating days, he drove an 18-wheeler for a sand company and later became the Terminal Manager for Bacon Transport and Max Mahon Trucking companies.

Rex was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Rowdy Lane Brafford; brothers, Claude A. Brafford, Jr., Bill Brafford and Norman Maddux; sisters, Doris Kay Maddux and Dewey Speed; and on Friday, March 14, his son-in-law, Jim Tom “J.T.” Farris.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 67 years, Martha Brafford; daughters, Martha Lee (Clifton) Stockbridge, Deborah Evans (James) Holloway, and Terry Grace Farris and daughter-in-law, Peihong Brafford. Grandchildren are Wendall Morris (Pamela) Robinson, Sarah Louise Robinson (Shane) Burnes, Sarasu Stockbridge (Zane) Blackwell, Crystal (Chris) Abrego, Qinju Dora Yu, Danielle Brafford, Christopher James Holloway, Robert Rowdy (Sherry) Holloway, Annie Leigh Holloway (James) Singleton, Jeramy Carl Tally, Joshua Keith (Ashlee) Tally, Jesse Dan Farris, Tylin Grace Farris (Jayce) Simmons and Krista Farris (Derek) Murr and Kayla Farris (Tom) Kelly. Great-grandchildren are Lily and Ellie Robinson, Journey Willis (Brian) Wilson, Jeven David Petrilli, Garrett (Amanda) Blackwell, Takota (Ashlyn) Burnes, Mikena Burnes, Jake Smith, Aryln Burnes, Derek and Masen Brafford, Cayden Abrego, Austin Barr, Colton Abrego, Harper Abrego, Bentley Richardson and Haevyn Brafford, Hadlee Kirsten Holloway, Camryn Paige Holloway, Holden Christopher Holloway, Carissa Licole Holloway, Taelor Leanne Singleton, Paeton Grace Singleton, Parker James Singleton, Jake and Kyler Tally, Jordan, Jayden, Jaxyn and Brooklyn Tally, Jaylin Simmons, Maddock and Madalyn Murr, James and Jonah Kelly; great-great-grandchildren, Samuel and Kaylee Blackwell, Fox Burnes, Kason Smith and coming soon, Eleanor Catherine Rose Wilson. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

A visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, March 28, at Johnson’s Funeral Home, 435 W. Beauregard Ave, San Angelo, TX 76903. Graveside services with military honors will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Johnson’s Lawnhaven Memorial Garden, 4989 FM Highway 1223, San Angelo, TX 76905.