Obituary of Lawrence Bannister

Lawrence Reginald �Rex� Bannister, age 86, of Iberia, Missouri, passed away Saturday, February 27, 2010. Rex was born May 21, 1923, in Oklahoma, a son to James Rufus and Mary Louise Bannister. Rex joined the United States Army Air Corps and proudly served his country during World War II. Rex was united in marriage to Sharon Spicer on October 17, 2008, in Bowling Green, Missouri. Rex graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in geological engineering. He spent the majority of his working career with Laclede Gas Company in St. Louis, Missouri. He accepted a position as the first Superintendent of Underground Gas Storage and later advanced to the position of Vice-President prior to his retirement in 1985. He remained a consultant to Laclede until the time of his death. Rex was an avid collector throughout his life, focusing first on mid-western minerals and later on lures. He had a soft spot for cats and new cars (and they better be American-made). Rex lived a full and rich life. His friends and family knew him as an honorable man who believed in the ethics of hard work and responsibility. He also had a great sense of humor and could tell a pretty good joke. Rex is survived by his wife Sharon; his daughters Karen and husband Gary of St. Louis, Missouri, B.J. and husband Bob of Prairie Home, Missouri, and Sally and husband Charlie of Colorado Springs, Colorado, his step-daughter, Drue and husband Michael of Accokeek, Maryland; his grandchildren Sarah, Jennifer and husband Ryan, Jesse and girlfriend Mary, Megan and husband Doug, Audrey, Lauren, Ian, and Tate-Hannah; and great-granddaughter Lily. Rex was previously married to Margaret Trimble Bannister, the mother of his three daughters, and to Julia Detroy Bannister, the mother of his stepdaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Julie, and four siblings.