Rex L. Dye

Rex L. Dye, 101, of Iron River, MI, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls, MI. He was born on April 16, 1923, in Detroit, MI, the son of the late Rex J. and Alice Mary Jane (Nowry) Dye. He attended school in Northville, MI. Rex joined the U.S. Army August 21, 1941. He volunteered to become one of America's first Paratroopers and completed jump school at Fort Benning, GA. He then served with the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion as an Airborne Infantryman from North Africa to Italy. During this time, Rex fought in the Naples-Foggia, Anzio (attached to 6615th Ranger Force, and Rome-Arno Campaigns. During the invasion of Avellino, Italy, he jumped into the darkness 20 miles behind enemy lines on an early September morning and fought the Nazis with valor and distinction. Rex was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge (with combat jump star), European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with arrowhead & two campaign stars), American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Distinguished (Presidential) Unit Citation, and permanent award of the French 3rd Zouave Regimental Badge to all 509th Paratroopers assigned to the Battalion. Rex attended the Midwestern Baptist College and Seminary, and pastored at Congregational Church of Salem Michigan and First Baptist Church of Salem Michigan. He also founded the First Baptist Church of Schreiber Ontario Canada. Rex also spent 15 plus years in Italy, starting the Baptist Church in Perugia Italy and was also a professor at the University of Perugia Italy. Besides his parents, Rex was preceded in death by his brothers, Hugh and Douglas Dye. Rex is survived by his sons, Michael (Gina Guiliani) of Iron River, John Dye of Pennsylvania, and Robert (Bonnie) Dye of Ontario, Canada; daughter, Judy (David) Smith of Iron River; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. A visitation will be held Tuesday September 3, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Dan Waters to officiate. Interment will be in Bates Township Cemetery. The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the graveside. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rex L. Dye, please visit our flower store.