John Rex III

John Rex III, 84, died peacefully on May 14, 2025, at Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. He had recently relocated from Buffalo, New York, where he was a long-time resident and active member of the Unitarian Universalist community.

John was born in Syracuse, NY, and raised in Mt. Kisco. He graduated as valedictorian from Fox Lane School in 1958 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College in 1962. Shortly after, he joined the Peace Corps and served in Ethiopia from 1962 to 1964; a formative experience that sparked a lifelong commitment to intercultural understanding and global engagement.

Following his return to the U.S., John earned a Master’s in Education from SUNY Buffalo and began a career teaching high school English in Akron, NY. In 1977, he found a spiritual home in Unitarian Universalism, drawn by its emphasis on reason, compassion, and justice. Years later, feeling a deeper call to ministry, he earned his Master of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in 1995. He served faithfully as a Unitarian Universalist minister, bringing care, commitment, and a deep sense of integrity to every community he served.

John’s passion for cross-cultural engagement shaped his ministry and his life. He lived, worked, and traveled in many parts of the world, including Ethiopia, Namibia, and India. He was especially committed to supporting international Unitarian communities and interfaith efforts around the globe. His thoughtful reflections on Cultural Intelligence were rooted in real-world experience and a belief that deeper understanding across lines of difference could change lives and communities for the better.

John also cherished the quieter joys of life: watercolor painting, playing bridge, and listening to classical music.

He was predeceased by his son, Christopher; his sisters Clara, Stephanie, and Margaret(Peg); and his parents, John Rex Jr. (Jack) and Alberta (Petie) Rex.

He is survived by his daughter, Anne; son-in-law, Tom; and grandchildren, Gwen and Drew; his former wife, Barbara; his nieces Stephanie, Catherine, Mary, and Jennifer; his godson, Abhimanyu; and many close friends and colleagues.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 7 at 3:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst, 6320 Main Street, Williamsville, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit organization committed to fighting injustice and advancing human rights through legal, educational, and advocacy work.