Rex Herbert Bateman was born on March 5, 1931, in Etna, Wyoming, to Catherine Lauretta Lindsay and Wiffen Delbert Bateman. He passed away on April 12, 2026, in the same home, surrounded by his family. Rex went to grade school in Etna and high school in Afton. He spent his early years helping his father and brother running the cattle and sheep ranch. He herded sheep over the mountains next to Prater into Greys River. In high school, he played the alto saxophone, boxed, and had many adventures with friends such as driving his jeep up to the star on the hill above Afton and to Lake Alice before there were any forest roads. After high school, he attended Ricks College and then served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Texas-Louisiana Mission. He then joined the Navy, serving on the USS Lexington during the post-Korean War era, where he had the opportunity to hike Mt. Fuji in Japan. He loved to travel and considered his time in the navy as another mission. Once discharged from the navy, Rex married Alice Valene Thorn, with whom he had eight children. After her untimely passing, he married Doreen Sant Smith. She brought three children into the family, whom he adopted, culminating in the birth of their daughter, Jeni. Rex and Doreen loved taking family vacations and watching people’s faces as 11 children crawled out of their camp trailer. A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, Rex held various church callings. He and Doreen found joy in serving at the Idaho Falls Temple. Their mission to Nauvoo, Illinois, was a highlight of their golden years. Doreen passed suddenly in May of 2020 leaving Rex to carry on their legacy. He loved his family very much and is survived by his sister Verdena Bunderson; 11 children: Nolan (Joy) Bateman, Claudia (Don) Baker, Marilyn (Robert) Weber, Tammy (Steve) Bell, Marsha (Morgan) Mitchell, Tara (Corey) Holm, Richard (Brenda) Bateman, Tim (Wendy) Bateman, Steven (Becky) Bateman, Rosemary Sellers, Jeni (Craig) Fetkavich; 58 grandchildren, 73 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by both of his wives; his son, James Rex; grandson, Christopher Bateman; and granddaughter, Jodi Lee Baker Norwood. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 18th at the Thayne Wyoming LDS Church. A viewing will be Friday night April 17th from 6-8 pm at the Thayne Schwab Mortuary with another viewing Saturday from 9:30 am to 10:45 am with the funeral following at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, Please donate to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints missionary fund in his memory.