Born to Amos and Violet Filer in Sioux City, Iowa, Dr. Rex Filer grew up amid polio scares and times of feast or famine. He focused on thriving in life and demonstrated ongoing kindness to all around him. His death was an unexpected blow to those who knew him.
Rex was an avid hiker and had explored innumerable state parks with his wife Peggy across the US and Canada. He also loved to read and learn new things. He sometimes seemed to strive toward emulating Mr. Rogers and frequently wore a cardigan sweater along with a gentle smile.
He loved to build up others in small unnoticed ways and watch them succeed. Frequently saying things like “You will be okay” or “It’s you I like” to those having a difficult moment was a common turn of phrase his family heard.
His love for all people encompassed those in the Deaf community and various visible and invisible disabilities.
He also had a passion for baseball and basketball which were frequently watched during their seasons. He also shared with some pride in his being a basketball coach to a junior team during one of his School Counselor educational positions in Iowa.
Rex was prolific in his accomplishments having taught at Adams State College in their Counseling Education Department from 1987 until his retirement in 2015. Teaching young college students how to use curiosity instead of judgement to find ways to help clients was a huge focus. He participated in more than 44 conference presentations or professional research publications and was also on several professional boards in Colorado including the Colorado School Counselor’s Association and the Professional Counselors Licensing Board.
Following his retirement he moved from Alamosa, Colo., to Payson, Ariz., where he took up working in another area of helping profession with preparing tax forms for low income or elderly individuals with AARP and their Taxaide program. He was often referred to as the “head honcho” since he was the go-to guy who knew quite a lot of tax information and had participated in developing trainings and being one of two internal tax reviewers in the area during this last tax year. He was also innovative in making things run smoothly during what is often a difficult time for those around him.
His unexpected passing took a significant toll on his family, especially to his wife Peggy Filer. He is survived by his wife Peggy Filer (Ariz.), sons Darrin and Brock Filer (Pa.), Stepdaughter Kelly George (Matthew George) and four grandchildren, Riley, Connor, Piper and Waverly (Colo.). He is also survived by his four-legged children Merlin (Collie, Ariz.) and Isla (Ragdoll, Ariz). He will be sorely missed.
The family will be holding a celebration of life at the Elks Club in Payson, Ariz., where Rex did a majority of his Taxaide work on June 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. The family has asked that donations be considered instead of flowers to the Payson Warming Shelter.
Please always keep in mind the quote that seemed to frequently drive Rex in his life, “Look for the helpers, you will always find people that are helping.”
