Obituary of Michael James Rex Jr.

Michael James Rex Jr., age 62, passed away on January 2, 2024 at home from glioblastoma brain cancer which was discovered on July 1, 2023 after suffering a grand mal seizure.  This terrible cancer took a strong, hard-working gardener/landscaper in just six short months.

Michael was born in Bay City on February 16, 1961 to Michael James and Elaine Marie (Pudvan) Rex Sr.  He graduated from Pinconning High School in 1979.  He also attended Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center for horticulture in his junior and senior years where he met his wife of 42 years, Martha (Wisniewski) Rex.

Mike worked at many local greenhouses and nurseries in his younger years.  He loved working with plants and knew them very well!  Eventually, he set out on his own doing lawn maintenance and landscaping.  He also owned and operated Riverview Nursery.  Mike had a natural talent for landscape design and choosing plants appropriate for the space with texture, flowers, and color for year-round interest.

In addition to horticulture, Mike enjoyed restoring Cub Cadet and Wheel Horse lawn tractors, pigeons, fishing, bike riding, hiking, nature, and walking along the beach and lagoon at Bay City State Park picking up trash along the way.

Besides his parents and wife, Mike is survived by his siblings: Tim (Cathy) Rex, Patrick (Lyn) Rex, Brian Rex, and Kim (Zach) Zolton; mother-in-law, Judith Wisniewski; brother/sisters-in-law:  Jean (Jeff) Trares and David (Joy) Wisniewski; niece/nephews: Joshua (Katie) Rex, Jessica (Ryan) Gregg, Jenna (Jeff) Lemuel, Taylor Higgins, Capri (Jim) Coughlin, Eden (Tad) Scritchfield, Courtney (Fernando) Trares, Brianna Trares; great niece/nephews: Reese and Hunter Rex, Mila Gregg, Jace Lemuel, and Leon Scritchfield.

He was predeceased by grandparents: Eva and Corky Slazinski and Geraldine and Arthur Rex; father-in-law, Roger Wisniewski.

Along this difficult period of time, we were blessed over and over by so many kind and compassionate people.  The list could literally fill a page!  We thank you from our grateful hearts!

No funeral service is planned.  Interment of cremains will occur at St. Patrick’s Cemetery (Archangel Raphael columbarium) at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family plans to use gifts toward a memorial park bench at Bay City State Park where Mike loved to walk and enjoy the most beautiful sunrises.  To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.

 

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