Rex Linn

Rex Ernest Linn came into this world on January 27, 1946 in Bucyrus, Ohio as the much anticipated first child of Donald Reed and Arwilda Estella (Susie) Linn. Upon his fathers arrival from World War II as a US Naval Petty Officer serving in some of the wars most intense battles, Rex soon became a gleam in his father's eye. Not surprisingly, Rex inherited from his dad a love of country, Patriotism, the cause for freedom, hard work and sacrifice, devotion to his family, and especially, the desire to help and serve others.

Rex spent the first 8 years of his life in Ohio, having lived in the towns of Galion, Marion and North Robinson. Unfortunately due to the cold and damp weather in Ohio, Rex battled asthma as a young boy. Rex's Great Uncle, Dr. Paul Murr, recommended to the Linns that a drier climate for Rex would eliminate his asthma problems. Therefore, Rex and his mom took an exploratory trip down to San Antonio, TX in the summer of 1954 to see if the doc was right. Sure enough, Rex's all but disappeared, so upon returning to Ohio the decision was made to head south. But Rex's dad had other ideas and thought Albuquerque, NM would be a better place and lined up a job there. Upon arrival in Albuquerque in 1955, the Linn's were met by one of those once in a lifetime sandstorms that shut down the city for days and all but ruined their Ford station wagon. The job evaporated as a result, so off the Linns headed to San Antonio, settling in the Harlandale neighborhood in the South Central part of town. Not long after moving to Texas, Rex welcomed an unexpected surprise to the family, his only sibling and brother, Ricky Lee in 1957.

Rex quickly became a beloved and popular student at Harlandale Junior and Senior High Schools. This is where Rex began to exhibit his interest in music, photography, and cars, passions that continued throughout his life. Not short of handsome good looks, Rex was popular with the girls in his teenage and early 20's. The fact he always had the finest car amongst his "competition" didn't hurt his opportunities either. Rex developed into one of the top percussionists in the Harlandale music program and performed at several Fiesta parades during this time. As School Photographer, the day before President John F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Rex captured amazing photos of JFK's motorcade on Military Drive. Some of those photos were published in the local newspapers. Upon graduation, Rex and his dad rewarded the new graduate with a fine new 1968 Plymouth Fury. Shortly after on December 24th, the Fury was parked on the street in front of the house when a loud crash was heard. Rex rushed out to see what happened and instead of worrying about his car, helped the injured drivers, and checked on them at the local hospital later. This incident signified a point in time where from that day forward, Rex always put others first before his own needs or concerns.

Following his graduation from Harlandale High in 1964, Rex enrolled at San Antonio College while also working at USAA and playing in dance bands. Following in the professional musician footsteps of his father, Rex became a sought after drummer and joined one of the most popular bands in San Antonio, The Shadows. However as the war in Vietnam continued to heat up, Rex faced a critical choice of waiting to be drafted and likely be sent straight to 'Nam or, enlist voluntarily and have a better chance of staying stateside. He chose to enlist in the US Army and was assigned to Ft Polk, LA for basic training. Upon completion Rex was assigned to the US Army Reserves and stationed back home in San Antonio, TX. This enabled Rex to return to work, continue his music with The Shadows, and further hone his photography skills.

By 1968, San Antonio was in a boom-time thanks to The World's Fair (Hemisfair 68). Rex capitalized on this boom with The Shadows, (and a couple other bands), playing more and more gigs, in addition to his budding career in photography. The Boyd Brothers were old schoolmates and friends from the Harlandale days, whose family owned Boyd Photography. Harry Boyd became not only Rex's best friend but became instrumental in Rex's increased passion for and success in photography. His amazing aerial photography of the Tower of the Americas construction was published by the local newspapers. By this time he was working photography jobs full-time and playing in the band in the evenings. Rex was always looking for new business opportunities and he saw a need for a first of its kind business in San Antonio producing audio/video presentations. Also during this period Rex saw a vision for a San Antonio "Lifestyle Magazine" and produced its first edition. Rexs newfound passion for entrepreneurship was now formed, but post Hemisfair, the San Antonio economy dipped and Rex had to put entrepreneurship on hold.

While playing with The Sands, Rex met a girl named Suzi Dietz from Gonzales County. After a whirlwind romance Rex and Suzi tied the knot in 1969. The most eligible bachelor in San Antonio TX was no more! It was during this time that Rex decided to put his passion for performing music on hold and sold his beloved Ludwig drum set. Back to the job market Rex went and landed at one of the fastest growing food chains in America, Church's Chicken. During this time, Rex and Suzi presented the world with their first child, Windi Dawn Linn. Shortly thereafter, Rex loaded up his new family with Ricky tagging along to help, for his biggest assignment yet, to open a new Churchs location in Atlanta, GA. Rex was originally assigned to get the store ready for opening and then manage it, but this particular job presented an opportunity that would change the rest of his working life.

Churchs moved Rex, Suzi and Windi (with Rane Forest Linn queued up and ready to make his entrance to the world), back to San Antonio with a new job. That new job established his new found career in construction and building materials. This also marked a new season in Rexs life with the additions of Rane Forrest, Misti Eve and Skylar James into this world, in addition to shaping over the next 25-30 years Rexs career crowning moment, LumberLink, Inc. While Rex was dedicated to his lifes work and his dreams of being a successful entrepreneur, his greater calling in life was devotion to raising and mentoring all of his children.

He loved being a father and became known for his silly stories he would make up for the kids, especially at bedtime. To this day his children still talk about Mr. Mustache and Mr. Nose meeting on the street, becoming friends and taking them into the imaginary world that was storytelling for Rex.

When Rex was in his mid 30s his love for construction and learning all he could about it had become not just a love, but a passion. The Fisher Brothers from South Africa had recently arrived in town looking to build the premier lumber business in San Antonio and South Texas. Rex was the perfect fit for the Sales Manager they needed and continued in this capacity for several very successful years. By the end of the century, now in his 50s, Rex achieved what had become a dream since the 1960s of owning and operating his own successful business. This business became known as Lumber Link, Inc., a one-of-a-kind lumber business that supplies exquisite, rare lumber and unique pieces of timber custom tailored for each customer. LumberLink clients are commercial construction and new high-end homes. Youve no doubt seen Rexs product at a business somewhere and have heard of the household names his products were installed on their homes. Rex made a solid name and reputation for himself, LumberLink and all of its faithful employees. And this was done with little advertising; in fact, just good old-fashioned word of mouth put his business on the map.

In 1993, Rex tied the knot with his 2nd wife and love of his life, Carol (and added 2 more daughters, Kim Ramon and Leslie Martinez). Carol and her family introduced Rex to Northwest Hills Baptist Church, where Rex was able to put his biggest passion in life into practice, serving and helping others. After putting in a 60-hour week at work, Rex volunteered for the Food Pantry on the weekends. Always the jokester, Rex would brighten up the day of those he served. It was hard not to smile around Rex as he had a contagious smile and warmness about him that could make even the loneliest person feel happiness. He thoroughly enjoyed all of the opportunities afforded him to help and serve through Northwest Hills.

In spite of his devotion to his family and his lifes work, Rex was an avid outdoorsmen and nature lover. He often took his children camping, hunting, fishing, or hiking. Sometimes Rex would sit outside in the early mornings or evenings soaking up the fresh air and warm sun. He taught his children to love nature and respect the outdoors as much as he did. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and felt a strong connection too many of Gods creatures. For several years, Rex and Carol adopted many dogs from the Greyhound race tracks in Texas, literally rescuing them from sure destruction. Rex would fish with his sons, but then go eat anything but seafood afterwards! Rexs love of nature was also intermingled with his passion for photography. While in his early days of photography he shot weddings and portraits, his passion for the camera led him to create many interesting photos with time lapse photography. He loved night photography and stopping along drives across country to capture animals in fields along the highway, or the full moon. Over his lifetime he took hundreds of photos that were too awesome not to enlarge and frame. Many of these now hang in the homes of friends and family, who will adore them forever.

Marking Rexs final season of life before going home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was his desire for wide open spaces. The Linn men all have a built-in desire for the fresh air of the country and Rex was no exception. Rex dreamed of having a refuge far from civilization in a beautiful location. New Mexico was calling and fulfilled that dream. Rex ultimately found the perfect piece of property and built a vacation / retirement getaway home in the high desert just outside the small village of Carrizozo, NM. If youve never heard of "Zozo" as its affectionately referred to, it is about 25 miles from Ruidoso and is surrounded on 3 sides by what is the southern end of the Rocky Mountains range. Rex yearned for the solitude, peace, and wide-open spaces he found away from the busy grind of San Antonio. Owning his business kept him in constant contact with many wonderful people, but rarely a quiet moment. Or quiet phone. He spent many vacations, holidays, and last-minute getaways with Carol, his kids, grandkids, and friends over the years. It was his home away from home. His favorite place on earth where he could unwind, relax, have some BBQ, a pot of coffee, a good laugh, and put up his feet. He loved the drive and made a habit of drawing up silly maps for his kids with humorous drawings of tumbleweeds, animals, or aliens along the highway to Zozo. He could not have chosen a better place to rest and recharge.

Yet another Linn family trait, Rex had a great love for music. While music was a big part of his first season of life, Rex put his music performing on hold until he had his New Mexico home finished and retirement on the horizon. In his first foray back to the live performing, he was the drummer in "Soda Pop Bop" with his son-in-law Mark. Not many people may know or remember but when Rex sold his drum set back in the late 60s, he bought a guitar and began learning to play. Unfortunately, he had to set that aside so in the last few years, Rex bought not just one, but several new guitars and started playing regularly, practicing when he had down time and gathering with his guitar loving friends he met with, to jam, laugh and enjoy quality time together. More than anything he loved to share music with his family. He would send videos or songs to his wife and kids that they just had to listen too. Music moved him and made him part of who he was. He had an extensive collection of albums. He would often talk about his favorites and was rejoicing in the fact that some of his grandkids had started collecting vinyl and had turntables.

Rex was more than just a son, father, husband, and friend. He was on a lifelong journey with Jesus Christ. Sometimes this journey met with difficult times, but Rex never forgot God through Jesus Christ. In the early 80s Rex made his confession of faith through proclaiming Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Later with his wife Carol, they each recommitted their faith individually and together as a couple at Northwest Hills Baptist. While in "Zozo" Rex and Carol became members of First Baptist Church there, and never missed a service when in town. Rex did whatever he could to help that church and its outreach to the citizens of "Zozo." Without skipping a beat, Rex lived and walked with Jesus so fervently that when you met him, you knew by the smile on his face, the bounce in his step and the gentle manner in which he spoke, he was a Godly man. Rex was the kind of guy who would drop everything for you no matter what the circumstance. His advice was sound and biblically based. But sometimes Rexs sense of humor got the best of him, and his advice could be so funny you could hardly contain your laughter.

Rex was a faithful man who made it his life work to ensure that his children knew the way to eternal life was through Jesus. He made sure each one of them had a copy of Gods Word and a Prayer Devotional. He attended church with each and every one of them at various times in their lives. Rex was always busy, but he was never absent. If he could be there, he was there. He loved his grandchildren; all 10 of them equally and with arms wide open. "Grandpa Rex" was their biggest cheerleader. He made every sporting event, dance recital, grandparents day, birthday, graduation and event you can name. Grandpa made it special because he not only showed you love, but he was also such fun to be around.

Rex had a big personality and a hilarious sense of humor. He could tell a joke like no other. He had a natural knack for timing and just the right amount and type of humor. He had a way of making you laugh even if you were not in the mood. His ability to help guide people into making good decisions was innate. The advice he gave was sound and worldly. He gave only when asked for and never in over abundance. Rex was a natural leader and believer. His personality was such that everyone who met him loved him. It is the greatest triumph to be able to say that you were that kind of human. Rex was. Everyone loved him.

And last but not certainly least; Rex demonstrated a heart for helping others who needed love, or Christ. All the way back to that time as a teenager when he was more concerned for the driver who wrecked his brand-new beautiful car and visited him in the hospital, Rex was there to help in any way he could. He always welcomed family members back home when they needed a place to live during transitions. With open arms and a smile on his face, he never wavered. When his longtime friend passed and left a son behind, he took him in and helped him get on his feet after he graduated high school. Then he met a young man in New Mexico who needed help after his father passed away, and once again, with that big heart of his, Rex brought him back to Texas and gave him the chance to start anew. This was the kind of man Rex was. He lived the life Jesus wants us all to live. He finished his life walking the righteous path serving Jesus though serving others.

Rex was preceded in death by his parents Arwilda Linn Smithpeter and Donald Reed Linn.

Rex is survived by his wife Carol Linn. His children, Windi (Mark) Semmes, Rane (Jenny) Linn, Misti White, Skylar (Ariana) Linn, Leslie Martinez, Kimberly (Ruben) Ramon and 10 grandchildren. His brother, Rick (Drew) Linn.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2021

2:00 PM

PORTER LORING NORTH

2102 NORTH LOOP 1604 E.

SAN ANTONIO, TX. 78232

Reception to follow at Rex and Carols home-13403 Dutch Myrtle,San Antonio, Tx. 78232.

A private committal to be held at Fort Sam National Cemetery in November.

Please click here to watch the recording of services for Rex Linn.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Diabetes Association https://www.diabetes.org