Rex E. Woods

Rex E. Woods, Jr. of Simms, MT was the epitome of a Montana cowboy. His spirit is now blowing in the wind, and his heart and soul are with his beloved wife, Emma Jean. Rex passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2016. He was 91 years old.Rex was born February 25, 1924 in Augusta, MT to Rex and Ruby Woods. On May 5, 1946, at age 22, Rex married his lifetime sweetheart, Emma Jean Greer. As a young married man, Rex moved with his wife and two daughters from Sun River Valley to Fort Benton where he dry-land farmed wheat and barley. After several years, their family, which now included two sons, moved to Cut Bank where they purchased their first family home and began dry-land farming near the Canadian border. Approximately seven years later, Rex was given the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream. He bought Jean's parents' homestead, now the Woods Ranch, out of Simms. His life was busy with ranching the homestead and continuing to dry-land farm out of Cut Bank. During this busy time, a third son was added to his family's fold.As he became more involved with Simms and the valley communities, Rex joined the Sun River Valley Lions Club. He maintained his membership with the group for almost 50 years and especially enjoyed his local leadership role within the club. Rex was also very proud of his part in the education of the communities' children. He served on the Board of Education for Simms High School, was Chairman of the Board, and successfully led the school through some controversial times.Rex took time to enjoy life with family and close friends. Music was a highlight in his life with Jean on piano, Rex on the guitar, and the kids joining in and singing the western songs they all loved. He loved to dance with Jeanhis favorite dance partner and the love of his lifeand play lots of card games, especially poker and pinochle. Rex also loved horses. He rode them his entire life and, as a young man, broke them for his father and other area ranchers. This love of horses never ended. He was very fond of watching televised rodeos and horse races. And, of course, his favorite song was about a horse, The Strawberry Roan.Rex is survived by his children, Becky (Chris) Westfall, Sandra (Roland Nord) Woods, Rex C. Woods, Clint (Astrid) Woods, and Kyle (Cheryl) Woods;nine grandchildren, Micah, Kelcey, Levi, Taylor, Morgan, Emma, Curran, Akalia, and Aunnika; five great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law Jim Greer and his wife, Kay; and several nephews and nieces. Rex was preceded in death by his parents Rex and Ruby Woods; his wife, Jean; his brothers Cor, Toad, Sam, Ray, and Art; his sisters Ida, Cecil and Iva; and his granddaughter, Brandi Rae.A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Sun River Valley Lions Hall located on Main Street in Simms, Montana. Memorials may be made to either the Sun River Valley Lions' Club, care of Kathy Christensen, Simms, Montana and/or The Great Falls Rescue Mission, 311 2nd Ave South, Great Falls, MT 59401.