Extracted from The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (Lubbock, TX)
Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Alton Rex Jasper, Sr.

Alton Rex Jasper, Sr. was born Oct. 25, 1915, to O'Nora Belle and Newton Marion Jasper in Dighton, Kan. He left this earth to be with his heavenly father on May 4, 2008. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2008 in Resthaven's Abbey Chapel.

Mr. Jasper graduated from Dighton High School in 1933, studied at Southern Methodist University and Dallas College, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. A self-educated Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Rex retired from the Internal Revenue Service in 1975. He then was employed as head of the Payroll Department at Texas Tech until 1985. In retirement he was a realtor for Century 21 Real Estate.

Rex married the love of his life, Sibyl Shipp, on July 3, 1941, in Amarillo. Three children were born to this union: son, Alton Rex, Jr.; daughter, Joy Ann; and son, Jon Shipp. Sibyl predeceased him on Jan 26, 1982.

Rex and his family moved to Lubbock in 1958. A life-long Baptist, Rex was a charter member of Second Baptist Church in Lubbock until his death. In July of 2007, he moved to Stillwater, Okla.

Alton Rex Jasper will be remembered for his kindheartedness, love of gardening, his interest in others, and his zest for life.

In addition to his wife and parents, Rex was preceded in death by sisters, Alma McCoy, Ruth Trainer, Reta Heinechke, and Mildred O'Rourke; brothers, Roy Jasper, Ross Jasper, James Jasper, Fred Jasper, Buford Jasper and Clarence Jasper. He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Alton Rex, Jr. and Paula Jasper, of Midland, Joy and Jeff Stewart, of Stillwater, Okla., and Jon and JaneII Jasper, of Spring, Texas. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jennifer Gourley, Heather Murphy, Andy Stewart, Brad Stewart, Aaron Hartwell, and Stan Gregory; great-grandchildren, Kenny and Kiefer Gourley, Wyatt and Weston Murphy, Madison and Malcolm Stewart, Hailey and Josh Hartwell, and Ashley and Kyle Gregory; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

The family has requested memorials to the American Lung Association.