Rex Layne, "Poor Ole Rex", went down for the final count on his 72nd birthday at Alta View Hospital from complications of a stroke.
Born June 7, 1928 in Lewiston, Utah to Charles Russell and Louise Gessel Layne.Rex married Adele Rogers and was later divorced, but they remained good friends throughout the years.
He served in the 11th Airborne Division from 1946 to 1948. While serving in Japan, he won the heavyweight boxing championship. In 1949 he won the National AAU boxing tournament in Boston. He went on to become a professional boxer where he fought such greats as Jersey Joe Walcott, Bob Satterfield, Rocky Marciano, and Ezzard Charles. Marvin Jensen managed Rex during his professional boxing career.
He was a gentle giant in the fierce world of boxing. In 1980, Rex was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame. In the year 2000 he was voted one of Utah's 50 Top Athletes of the century. He retied from Motor Cargo after 25 years of service.
Survived by Adele Rogers; daughters: Launa (Brad) Barker, Christine (Michael) Wilde, brothers: Brandt (Jean) Layne, David (Joann) Layne, Jerry (Jean) Layne, Allen Layne and sister Tamara (Gene) Austin; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and many loyal and lifelong friends who will miss his quick wit and love taps.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Friday, June 9th from 6-8 p.m. at Lake Hills Memorial Estates located at 10055 So. State Street. Services will be held Saturday June 10th at 11 a.m. with viewing one hour prior to the services. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Rex's name to the Ronald McDonald House or the Children's Center.