Our father, Rex L. Orcutt, 88 years of Medford passed away suddenly on November 28, 2022 from pneumonia. This loss was completely unexpected, leaving family and friends shocked and deeply saddened. He will be truly missed in so many ways.
Rex was born on New Year’s Eve 1933 to Orel and Leona Orcutt (nee Carter) in Brookings, SD. His family moved to Oregon, finally settling in Prineville, where Rex enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, and hunting.
In 1953, Rex enlisted in the US Navy. He spent the next 21 years serving his country and he was very proud of that service. Rex served in Korea, and in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1972 as a Master Chief Petty Officer. Rex was honored for his service in 2019 when he was escorted on an “Honor Flight” to Washington DC, where he visited many of the military memorials and was treated like the hero he was.
Rex married Eleanor Lee Tyler in May 1955 and they were married for 53 years until Eleanor passed away in 2008. They moved to Medford, Oregon when Rex retired from the Navy. Rex worked for 3M in White City, Oregon for 17 years before retiring. Rex and Eleanor raised 5 children together. They traveled extensively in the US on their motorcycles and in their motorhome and enjoyed many international travels as well.
Rex spent most of his life enjoying outdoor activities and was an avid hunter, and fisherman. Rex loved riding his motorcycle, watching football and baseball and spending time with his family. Rex was a force of nature, determined, active and stubborn. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world, something he proudly and often mentioned.
Rex is survived by his sons Michael Orcutt (Liz) and Guy Orcutt (Coty) and his daughters, Peggy Penland (Dan) and Dawn Dulong (Terry), his brother Orel Orcutt of Prineville, 6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and many cherished nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Eleanor, his sister Beverley Jensen of Madras, Oregon, and his son Glen Orcutt.