Obituary - Rex Dwayne Moore November 5, 1955 – April 16, 2023

With twinkling blue eyes, a friendly, optimistic man with a heart of gold, Rex Dwayne Moore was always ready to help others, from coaching kids' soccer, fixing friends' computers to painting his nephew's car. Major house projects over the years benefited from his carpentry skills and tenacity for getting the job done. Rex was a car enthusiast, enjoying his Ford Bronco and later two different Mustangs, getting under the hood to keep them in good running condition. Twice, his quick thinking saved his life. Once when he jumped from a tanker truck with failed brakes as it careened off a cliff and another time as he escaped an early morning fire that swept through an apartment building.

Rex escaped those brushes with death many years ago, but there was no escape from a rare and aggressive thyroid cancer that took his life April 16, 2023, in Mesa, AZ, at age 67. He was grateful to have his family at his side.

Rex was born on November 5, 1955, in Havre, Montana, to parents Dale and Ernestine Moore. He graduated from Havre High School in 1974, worked for the City of Havre and in 1977 married Kathy Smith. They moved to Bakersfield, CA, where Rex worked in the oil and gas industry. They divorced in 1990, and Rex moved to Kirkland, WA. He attended South Seattle Community College where he graduated with Honors and a 4.0 GPA, earning an associate degree in computer aided design. Immediately hired by Boeing, Rex quickly became a lead draftsman and team leader on the design and production of the Boeing 777 and 787 jetliners.

Rex remarried in 1998, to Bonita Rothlisberger, settling in Arlington, WA, where their blended family loved adding a baby daughter. He became a single parent again in 2004. Rex adored spending time with his children and later grandchildren. His daughter says he was her hero.

April 18, 2013, Rex married his love and partner-for-life, Jody Moratti, in Everett, WA, and honeymooned in Maui, Hawaii, before settling in Lynnwood, WA, with their respective 16- and 12-year-old daughters and lots of room in their home and their hearts for the grown siblings' visits. Later, Rex and Jody enthusiastically traveled with their 30-foot fifth wheel camper to visit family and grandchildren in Washington and Montana. Rex retired from The Boeing Company in 2018. He and Jody moved to Mesa, Arizona, where they enjoyed the sunshine and having their own swimming pool.

Rex is pre-deceased by his parents, Dale Edwin Moore of Gildford, MT, and Ernestine Boothe Moore of Kirkland, WA, grandson Andrew-Tian Moore of Misawa, Japan; half-brother Robert C. Betterton (Michelle) of Queensland, Australia, and nephew Capt. Matthew Stromberg, USMC, of Kirkland, WA.

Rex is survived by his beloved wife, Jody Moratti Moore of Mesa, AZ .; sons, Jeremy D. Reese (Katie) of Kalispell, MT; Thomas C. Moore (Corrine) of Helena, MT; Dale A. Moore of Helena, MT; daughter Jodie Nicole Moore of Arlington, WA; stepdaughter Emily Lynn Moratti of Lake Stevens, WA; step-sons Kyle Moratti of Everett, WA and Shaun Moratti of Lynden, WA; Kyle Rothlisberger of Arlington, WA; sister Tricia Moore Stromberg (Russel Sr.) of Eagle, ID; nephew Russ Stromberg II (kids Roman and Katharina ) of Seattle, WA; niece Jodi Betterton Malone of Queensland, Australia; 6 grandchildren, Kyla Ann Moratti, Ryker Jamison Moratti, Braeden Thomas Reese, Jalen James Reese, Elaina Shae Edwards Moore, Freya Jane Moore; and cousins in Australia, Alaska, Indiana, Ohio, and Texas.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Shriners Hospitals in Rex's memory. The family will hold a Celebration of Life this coming summer. Details on time and place will be sent to family and friends.