BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The world lost a wonderful husband, father, son and brother on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004. Rex Albert Ivie, 55, passed away at his home in Bellingham.

Rex was born June 9, 1949, in Billings. He was welcomed home by his parents Daryl and Clare Sandbak. At the age of 4, he was blessed with the opportunity to have a second father into his life, Scott Ivie.

As a young man, Rex attended Billings West High, graduating in 1967. He enrolled at Eastern that fall, by springtime he had joined the Marines and was sent to Vietnam. After serving one tour, he came home to Billings, where he met the light of his life, LaVerne Ashton. They were married in 1971 and started their family in 1973 with a son, Jeremy Scott, three years later "Daddy's little Girl," Jessica, arrived.

The family moved from Billings to Broadview in 1976. It was there that Rex finally decided to give ranching and farming a try. After working for Empire Lath & Plaster for eight years, he "retired" in 1978 to work on his family's farm. Thirteen years later, he got back into the construction game with his return to Empire.

Always one to love the excitement of new places and people, Rex joined the team at Flintco in 1997. There, he worked as a project manager on various jobs throughout the western U.S., ultimately ending up in Bellingham. He loved his work and the opportunities for travel that it provided him. His favorite destination, however, was wherever his grandsons were. They, along with his children, were the lights of his life. Hunter and Hayden will forever feel the loss of this great man in their world.

Rex's love of life and his generous nature resulted in a wealth of friends, all of whom will miss this wonderful addition to their many hunting and fishing trips.

Rex is survived by his wife, LaVerne; his children, Jeremy (Mikki) Hunter and their children Hunter and Hayden of New York, Jessica of Seattle; his mother Clare of Billings; brother Jeff (Lynn) of Billings; sister Karen (Larry) Webber of Germany; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his fathers, Daryl Sandbak and Scott Ivie.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at Smith West Chapel, 304 34th St. West. Memorials may be made to a Children's Christmas fund of your choice.

Dad, you taught us so much in the short time we had you. Those lessons are forever engraved in our minds, "Be proud of your country."