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Obituary For Rex Ronald Blakesley
Rex Ronald “Bud” Blakesley, 89, passed away August 1, 2025, in Des Moines, IA.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Memorial Services of Iowa, 4208 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa. Family will greet friends starting an hour prior to the service at 1:30 p.m. Burial will immediately follow the funeral at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. Everyone is invited to join the family in fellowship afterwards with a light lunch at Ankeny First United Methodist Church, 710 N.E. 36th St. in Ankeny.
Rex was born June 20, 1936 in Mercer County, Missouri, to Vere LeRoy Blakesley and Marjorie Beulah Argo. They lived in a lovely home hand-built by one of his mother's ancestors. His mother and father eventually moved their family just across the road into Decatur County Iowa and started their own farm. Rex and his family enjoyed many years visiting the farm, “down home.”
After graduating from Lamoni High School in 1955, Rex went to Oregon with two of his buddies to work for the summer. Following his return to Iowa and Des Moines, he got a job at a department store. There, he found Rosalie Moore and love bloomed! They were married in 1957, a year after her graduation.
In 1959, Rex was called to service with the Army Corps of Engineers in Virginia. After his service time, Rex and Rosalie returned to Des Moines and eventually moved to Ankeny where they lived for the next 53 years and raised their three children: Roger, Steve, and Terry.
Rex started work at Sears and Roebuck in the new Merle Hay Mall that had been built while they were in Virginia. He enjoyed his job and eventually worked his way up to Chief Maintenance Engineer. Rex especially loved volunteering as Santa Claus every Christmas at Sears, bringing joy and smiles to children's faces! He was proud to keep the store running smoothly for the 30 years he was there.
Rex served as Scoutmaster for his sons’ terms in Ankeny troop 188. In time he also served as Scoutmaster for his grandson’s Scout troop, guiding him and many others to Eagle. Through Rex's leadership and mentorship, the Scouts enjoyed adventures, accomplishments, and made lifetime memories. Many Scouts were able to attain Eagle Scout rank with his steadfast approach as a leader.
Rex and Rosalie enjoyed nearly 68 years of marriage, with a strong devotion to family and friends. The love Rex showed others was returned to him by all who will dearly miss him.
Rex is survived by his wife, Rosalie; sons, Roger (Pam), Steve (Kim), and Terry; grandchildren, Thomas (Jen F.N. Allen) Blakesley, Rachel Blakesley, and Kyle (Caitlin) Jacobsen; great-grandchildren, Rosaleigh Blakesley, Cooper Jacobsen, Ethan Jacobsen, and Kenzie Jacobsen; and sisters-in-law, Barbara Moore, and RoseAnn Moore. He is preceded in death by his brother, Mitchell Blakesley; sister, Elvalena Hayton; sister-in-law, Janeen Blakesley; and brothers-in-law, Earl Hayton, Raymond Moore, and Richard Moore.
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Shelly Brown sent Peace Lily for Rex Ronald Blakesley - August 05, 2025
sheryl Patterson sent Peace & Serenity Dishgarden for Rex Ronald Blakesley - August 04, 2025
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Uncle Bud was a shining smile in my life as a child and adult. He was a mentor to look up to and gave the best hugs. He taught me so many things as a child, but the biggest thing was to always find something to smile about and to use my imagination in storytelling. Thank you for all you did uncle Bud to protect me. May we all feel comfort as the wings of the angels are wrapped around us at this time of sadness. May we find that smile on our lips and share it with the world, just as uncle Bud did.
Rex was Santa Claus for many years through my journey through scouts, and eventually played a major role in my progression to Eagle; as he was the head of my board of review. Great man.
