of Cotter, AR

July 4, 1918 - May 20, 2010

Mr. Rex S. Bayless, Sr., age 91, former Mayor of Cotter, passed away Thursday, May 20, 2010 at Baxter Regional Medical Center. Rex Bayless was born July 4, 1918 in Mountain Home to Paul and Josephine (Tate) Bayless. He was raised in Cotter and graduated from Cotter High School. Rex served 22 years in the US Army. He served during World War II and the Korean War before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He married Lois Fontenot on September 5, 1943 in Yuma, Arizona.
After leaving the Army, Rex returned to Cotter where he served on the school board and city council, and was eventually president of the school board. In 1964 he was appointed Mayor of Cotter upon the death of previous Mayor Wallick. He served as Mayor from 1968 through 1987 and 1990 through 1994. He also donated the land for, and helped build the Wesley United Methodist Church. During his years of public service, Mr. Bayless was instrumental in locating the current schools and city hall sites, and in the construction of the Cotter Municipal Sewer System. Rex was active in the Arkansas Municipal League, serving as Vice President of District 3 in 1983/84. He also served on the Wolf House Committee. Rex is responsible for Cotter’s nickname, Trout Capital of the USA. He was a member and served on the board of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Mr. Rex S. Bayless, Sr. is survived by 2 daughters: Jo Partee (Ernest) and Roberta King (Jack); 1 son: Rex Bayless, Jr. (Young Vest); 5 grandchildren: Paul Bayless (Angela), Jason Bayless (Kristi), Staci Montee (Jay), Jimmy Partee, and Lauren Moore (Allen); 6 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Warren Hogan, 3 sisters-in-law, and special friends: Joan Metts, Cindy Floyd, and Carl Sisney. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, 3 sisters: Pauline, Nadine, Chestina, and an infant brother.

Visitation for Mr. Bayless will be Noon – 9 PM Monday at Roller Funeral Home with the family receiving friends 6-8 PM. Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Tuesday at Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Sara Gotschall, officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Walnut Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Benny Magness, Jeff Magness, Phillip L. Rice, Phillip M. Rice, Peter Peitz, and Carl Sisney. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jack Burkhart, Ronnie Gregory, and Jackie Lee Gregory. Memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church.

Visitation Roller Funeral Home Highway 5 North Mountain Home,  AR 72654 5/24/2010 at 12-9 PM; Family 6-8 PM	Service Funeral Service Wesley United Methodist Church 179 Memory Lane Cotter,  AR 72626 5/25/2010 at 1:00 PM
Cemetery/Interment Walnut Hill Cemetery Bayless Dr. Cotter, AR 72626	Memorial Contributions Wesley United Methodist Church 179 Memory Lane Cotter, AR 72626

Obituary Provided By:
Roller Funeral Home
Highway 5 North
Mountain Home, AR  72654
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com