Gary Rex Cowherd, age 80, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2022 at his home outside Bentonville, Arkansas.

Rex was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Montez Cowherd; first wife, Karolyn; sister Vella Dean Newton; and brother David Cowherd.

Rex is survived by wife, Jan Cowherd (Bentonville, AR); daughter Ginger Sanders (Bentonville, AR), son-in-law Terry, and their children Mitchell, Aaron, Grant, and Ethan; son Darren Cowherd (Claremore, OK), daughter-in-law Mindy, and their children Jacob, Caroline, Noah, and Faith; brother Jim Cowherd (Springfield, MO); sister Kay Hawks (Springfield, MO); and sister-in-law Connie Cowherd (Exeter, MO).

Rex is also survived by stepsons and spouses, Michael Dinsmore (Bentonville, AR), Nathan and Jennifer Dinsmore (Seligman, MO), Aaron and Maria Dinsmore (San Diego, CA), and their children.

Rex was born April 20, 1942, in Purdy, Missouri and attended school in Exeter, Missouri and college at School of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri. In January 1955, Rex received Christ as his Lord and Savior at First Baptist Church in Exeter, Missouri.

In March 1965, Rex married high school sweetheart Karolyn Sanders before deploying to Germany with the U.S. Army. While on deployment, Rex and Karolyn welcomed their first child, Ginger. Upon returning from deployment, Rex worked for several mid-western corporations, making his way back to home state, Missouri, and welcomed second child, Darren.  Rex joined Wal-Mart, Inc., where he managed stores in Missouri and Kansas before moving to the home office in Arkansas. After a successful career with Walmart and Sam's Club, Rex retired in 1999 to enjoy time with wife Karolyn before her passing in 2004.

In October 2006, Rex married Jan Dinsmore and continued enjoying time with extended family and the fellowship of Christian brothers in Northwest Arkansas.  Rex and Jan were active members of Cross Church of Pinnacle Hills (Rogers, AR).

Rex was first and foremost a family man and was committed to the investment into the lives of his children, grandchildren, siblings, and cousins.  Rex faithfully served his Lord and local church as a layman leader, serving as a deacon, Christian school board member and other ministry positions to be used by the Lord in the advancement of the Gospel of Christ.  Rex was devoted to the success of his alma mater, College of the Ozarks, and the opportunities that it provides for young men and women.  He proudly served on its Board of Trustees for 29 years until his death.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Chapel On The Creeks in Rogers, Arkansas, with Carl E. Roberts officiating.

Service and cremation arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville, Missouri.