Our cherished father, uncle and “Grampie” Rex Alexander Berg passed away with the comfort of loved ones by his side on November 27, 2017. It brings us great sadness to know we can no longer enjoy the pleasure of his company, however what he leaves behind is a true example of a life well-lived.

Rex was born on June 2, 1928 in Smith Center County, Kansas to Alexander and Clara Berg, and his two sisters Wanda and Ruth. Born into The Great Depression and Dust Bowl eras, his life started off in the most difficult of times. He would always say their family didn’t have two nickels to rub together to make a dime, but they had the love and the comfort of each other to make it through. They moved to Oxnard, California in the summer of 1936 with $200 in his father’s pocket to start a new life with a job at his uncle George’s dairy. In the 1940’s, after the dairy had closed and his father suffered from a stroke, he went to work full time at a lemon packing house sweeping the floors to support his family. By the 1980’s, he had worked his way up to become President and General Manager of the same lemon packing house. A self-made man, he was incredibly hard-working and always had providing for his family on his mind. His success in all aspects of life was based on his great faith, positive attitude and giving spirit.

On June 18, 1955 he returned to work after two years serving in the army. When he walked into the building, he glanced over towards the packing line and standing there was a beautiful dark-haired woman that caught his eye. That moment, he would say, was the beginning of a love that would last an eternity. Rex and Mary Louise married in 1961 and in the 56 years they were together they exemplified true love. While their life at times was not easy, they had the comfort of always being together. He would do absolutely anything and everything for his Mary Lou, and anyone who knew them as a couple always wanted to find themselves a Rex.

He was also everything you could ask for in a father and grandfather. Their daughter Debbie would be waiting for him to come home from work with a baseball glove in her hand, and even after a long day he would take the time to throw the ball. Rex was the grandfather that had his grandkids photo on his coffee mug and would say “take a look at those cuties.” His eyes would light up when anyone walked in the room, and it didn’t matter how long you’d been away from him- he made you feel like you had just seen him yesterday.

Rex was an incredibly selfless man that was always thinking of others. When someone told him to have a great day, without hesitation he would smile and respond “have a better one.” He leaves behind a lifetime of stories, and a beautiful example of how ones life should be lived.

He is survived by his loving daughters Debbie (Wayne) Callaway and Patricia White; nephew Rex A. Clark; niece Sandy (Jerry) Hails; grandchildren Mary and Jon Callaway, Carol McChesney, Paul (Yolanda) Gonzales, Joanna (Caleb) Phillips; great-grandchildren Jeffrey McChesney, Paul (Leann) Gonzales, Josh Gonzales, Sarah Gonzales, C.J. Phillips, Elody Miller; and his many beloved nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by the love and light of his life Mary Louise Berg; parents Alexander and Clara Berg; siblings Wanda (Laurence) Sanders, Ruth (Marvin) Clark; Nieces Evelyn Martin and Nancy Craig; nephew Robert Clark.

Services to be held at Conejo Mountain Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 2 between 4 and 6 p.m., and a Funeral service will be held on December 3 at 2 p.m. with graveside service to follow.  

Rex has been entrusted to the care of Conejo Mountain Funeral Home and Memorial Park. Our family would like to thank them for their loving care of our beloved father and grandfather.

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