Rex Tyler Fleming

Rex Tyler Fleming saw the face of Jesus on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, when he took his final breath on earth after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 10 years old. He's now in the land where there are no more tears, no more pain and no more fears. We know he was met by Jesus, but also by his great-grandparents and many other family members who have gone on before him. Rex was born Oct. 17, 2002, in Abilene. His time on earth would seem too short to most of us, but for those who knew, loved and cherished him, the light of his life will never be dimmed. His courageous battle with cancer touched thousands of lives and made us all better because of the way he fought and lived. He and his family made a conscious effort to continue pushing forward, living each day to the fullest and making the most of each moment. Some might say that Rex lost to cancer, but that's not the case. Cancer might have taken his earthly body, but it never touched his heart or his soul. Those have always belonged to God, just as Rex did. He was baptized as a born-again Christian and was a faithful member of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. He loved his parents, his brother and sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as his tight circle of friends from all over the community. Most nights at home, Rex could be found outside playing basketball or football with his many friends. He also loved baseball, the ACU Wildcats, the Abilene High Eagles, the Texas Rangers, and Eli Manning and the New York Giants. However, there's some debate as to how much he really liked the Giants and how much he enjoyed tormenting his father about not liking the Dallas Cowboys. Survivors include his parents, Lance and Jill Fleming of Abilene; a sister, Ashley, and a brother, Ryan, of the home; his paternal grandparents, Danny and Deona Fleming of Abilene; and his maternal grandparents, Len and Linda Wishousky of Abilene and Frank and Shirley Terbush of Peoria, Ariz. He also is survived by his uncle and aunt, Maj. John and Laurie Briner of Abilene; his cousins, Harry and Catie Beth Briner of Abilene; his uncle and aunt, Maj. Steve and Jenny Baker of Arlington, Va.; and several other cousins and relatives. The family especially thanks Rex's caregivers, Dr. Rob Wiley, Dr. Jeffrey Murray, Emily Braly, Dr. David Donahue, and the staff at Hendrick Hospice (Dr. Sara Trammell, and nurse, Leslie Boggess); Abilene High School head football coach Steve Warren and the Eagles for making Rex's last few months so special; Abilene Cooper High School football coach Todd Moebes and his Cougars; Abilene Christian High School head football coach Mark Coley and his Panthers; Kelly Moore at Fort Worth Christian Schools and the FWC family for the generous investment they made in Rex's life, and their godly spirit; the Abilene Christian Schools family for the way it helped with Ashley's educational needs; David Adams and the staff at Taylor Elementary School for their love, support and patience in dealing with the many issues Rex's health presented on a daily basis; members of the faculty, staff and campus community at Abilene Christian University who made Rex a part of their family, especially the coaches, and the student-athletes who displayed Rex's name on their uniforms and practice gear and made him feel a part of their Wildcat teams; the many people in this community who prayed for Rex, loved on him, made him feel special and watched over him for the last two years; members of our church home, Pioneer Drive Baptist in Abilene; and the countless other people of faith around the world who prayed for Rex on a daily basis. We prayed many hours that Rex would be healed here on earth, but that wasn't in God's plan for his life. We know, however, that he is fully healed now, and we look forward to the day when we are reunited and can wrap our arms around him and hold him close once again. Until then, we will live our lives as he taught us: with love, with laughter, with grace and with faith. Thank you, Rex, for leading us through this and showing us how to live. We love you and will never forget you. We will live to tell your story. Rex's body will be available for viewing only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Hamil Family Funeral Home (6449 Buffalo Gap Rd.). The family will receive visitors from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church (701 S. Pioneer Drive). On Friday, a graveside service will be 9:30 a.m. at Elmwood Memorial Park (5750 Hwy. 277 South), followed by a memorial service to celebrate Rex's life at 10:30 a.m. at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. The services will be under the direction of Hamil Family Funeral Home and will be led by Pastor Stan Allcorn and Dr. Jeff Reid. Rex loved sports and will be buried wearing a Texas Rangers' jersey. To honor his life and the way he lived it, the family encourages those who attend the memorial service to feel comfortable wearing the jersey/shirt or other attire of their favorite team - Little League, high school, college or professional - or wear a P4X shirt. Traditional attire also is appropriate and welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Rex Fleming Endowed Scholarship, Abilene Christian University, ACU Box 29132, Abilene, Texas 79699-9132, or the Pioneer Drive Baptist Church Children's Ministry, 701 S. Pioneer Drive, Abilene, Texas 79605.