Olon Rex Lindemood

Olon Rex Lindemood  October 16, 1928 – February 19, 2018

Olon Rex Lindemood was the second child born to Olon Wayne Lindemood and Elizabeth Pester Lindemood in Kansas City, Missouri on October 16, 1928.  His older brother, George, and his younger sister, Myrtle completed their family. 

Rex was a graduate of ‘Poky’ High School, Pocatello, Idaho.  In High School he began working for Safeway Grocery stores as a meat cutter.  While attending Willamette University in Salem, Oregon he continued working for Safeway and became a regional head meat cutter.  After his graduation from Willamette University, Rex would become a student at Drew Theological School in Madison, New Jersey.  While at Drew, Rex began working as a student pastor at the Brooklyn, New York Methodist Church.  In Brooklyn, he met Verna Louva Simonson. 

Rex and Verna were married on May 5^th, 1951 at 3:00 PM in the sanctuary at Hanson Place Methodist Church, Brooklyn, New York.

Rex was ordained as a Methodist Clergyman in the Oregon/Idaho Conference of the Methodist Church.  He and Verna moved to his first student appointment, a three point charge near Scranton, Pennsylvania.  Their first son, Stephen Rex, was born there.  Upon graduation from Drew Theological Seminary, Rex and Verna with their baby, Stephen, moved west.  His next Methodist church was in Kimberly, Idaho.  In Kimberly, Mark Drew was born.  Next, they moved to Baker, Oregon. Olon Mulford was born in Baker.

Rex was pastor at:

Fruitland Methodist Church; Fruitland, Idaho

The Jason Lee Memorial Methodist Church; Blackfoot, Idaho

Jefferson Chapel / Coesse Methodist churches near Columbia City, Indiana

East Chicago First UMC

Trinity UMC; Hartford City, Indiana

North Webster UMC; North Webster, Indiana

Dyer UMC, Dyer, Indiana

Rex retired from the North Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1991.

In retirement, Rex and Verna have been residents at Penney Retirement Community in Penney Farms, Florida.  For 27 years they have been active members of PRC.

Many remember Rex introducing himself to a new congregation: “Hi, I’m Rex and I am an Alcoholic.”  He served on the General Methodist Church Temperance Committee during the 1950’s.  He lived sober for 69 years.  Rex was passionate, caring, and direct.  A conversation with Rex would be filled with challenge and humor.  When a conversation would come to an end or when he signed a letter, “God’s Best!” was his phrase of choice.  Rex will be missed by his family and countless friends.

The Rev. O. Rex Lindemood died peacefully in his sleep Monday morning, February 19, 2018 in the Pavilion at Penney Retirement Community, Penney Farms, Florida. Thank you to Northeast Florida Community Hospice. And thank you to the Administration, Medical Teams and Staff of Penney Retirement Community.

Rex was proceeded in death by his parents; his brother, George; granddaughter, Betsy; grandson, Jeffery Lindemood; great grandson, Brooklynn RayOlon Walker.

Rex is survived by his wife, Verna of Penney Farms, FL; sister Myrtle Bacon of Scottsbluff, NE; his three sons and their wives: Stephen Rex of St. Mary’s, GA; Mark Drew of Goshen, IN; and Olon Mulford of Colorado Springs, CO.  Also:  11 Grandchildren: Mark, Scott, Shawn, David Olon, Abbe, Haley, Bridget, Bonnie, Will, Emily, and Anna; and 9 great-grandsons.

A Memorial Service is planned for Monday, March 5, 3:00 PM at the Penney Memorial Church, Penney Farms, FL.  Rev. Paul Sabin will officiate the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be given to:

 Penney Retirement Community Resident Aid Fund.  c/o PO Box 555, Penney Farms, FL  32079