It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Rex Arlan Oldham, age 71, due to unforeseen health complications at Texoma Medical Center in Denison, Texas on January 17th, 2025.

Rex was born on Wednesday, December 9, 1953 to Ruby Nell Lockridge and Arlan Cone Oldham in Tyler, TX.

Due to his stepfather's career in the military, Rex lived in many cities, states and countries before graduating high school in 1971 in San Antonio, Texas. In 1972 he started his own decorated career in the military by joining the US Air Force and becoming an Aircraft Mechanic. He transferred service to the U.S. Army in the late 1970's.  During that time he earned multiple medals including 4 Purple Hearts, 3 Army Good Conduct medals, and the Armed Forces Reserve medal with M Device. He completed 4 tours of duty in Vietnam, Baghdad, and Iraq, with his final days of service as a paralegal in the U.S. Army National Guard completed in Lafayette, LA.

During a brief break in his military career, he met and married Jackie Ray Yates on August 3, 1984.  From this marriage, came the union of the children as well, which he fondly referred to as "her's, mine, and our's". He was a proud and loving father and an amazing and supportive grandfather.

After retiring from the U.S. Army, he along with his wife of 29 years, returned to Texas.  Once they moved to Sherman, he decided he could not stay retired forever and thus he began his employment with Securitas where he greeted and befriended many individuals working at the Justice Center.  In 2018 he decided to scale back how much he worked and took on part-time work for Nor-Tex Security and a very full time role as "Pa-Pa" which continued until shortly before his passing.

He also became a Mason with the Travis Lodge #117, a Hella Shriner, and a member of the Honda Goldwing Trike Club.

Some of Rex's hobbies included never being wrong in a "discussion", never letting anyone win in Trivial Pursuit, and instructing how to hold a flashlight correctly.  He was an avid reader, a history buff, boomstick enthusiast where oftentimes you would find him at the gun range, a Folger's investor, and a storyteller.

Rex is survived by his three daughters, Wednesday Kelley (Chris), Kristin Walterscheid (Mark) and Megan Oldham, as well as three sons, Joshua Oldham (Tina), Travis Boren (Maria) and Joseph Oldham (Karie).  He is also survived by 17 grandchildren whom he spoke of often, and 4 great-grandboys.  Along with his sister, Sonia Smith, brother, Sam Smith (Vicki) and many other extended family and friends whom he considered family.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, brother, Keith Smith, and the love of his life, Jackie.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 6-8pm at Waldo Funeral Home.  Services will be Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 10;00 am in the Waldo Funeral Home Chapel with Masonic Rites. Interment will follow at Akers Cemetery with full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Travis Lodge #117, Scottish Rite, American Lung Association, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home.

Online condolences can be made at www.waldofuneralhome.com