The World's Greatest Fighter Pilot slipped the surly bonds of Earth for the last time on March 26 at the age of 81, in Georgetown, Texas. Rex Ethan Cloud passed away unexpectedly from a stroke. He was a friend to all and will be remembered for his gentle spirit and servant's heart which touched the lives of many.

Rex was born on June 10, 1939 in Huntington County, Indiana, to James and Lois Cloud. An early love for flying led him to Air Force ROTC at Ball State University. While there, he met the girl of his dreams, Peggy Rollings. He charmed his way into her heart and they married in 1961 and spent 57 wonderful years being each other's best friend.

Rex graduated from pilot training in 1962. In 1967-68, he served in Southeast Asia completing 255 combat sorties in the F-4 Phantom. An Air Force Fighter Weapons School graduate, he proudly became one of the oldest fighter pilots to check out in the F-16 Fighting Falcon. He went on to become vice commander of an F-16 Fighter Wing. Throughout Rex's career he received many commendations including the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

In 1991, after 30 years of honorable service in the United States and Europe, Colonel Rex Cloud retired with nearly 4,300 flying hours. Rex and Peggy made Texas their home and eventually moved to Georgetown.

Rex remained a kid at heart throughout his life and loved to play, much to the delight of his family. He was exceptionally good at "shooting the moon" in the card game Hearts and stumped his children for years with magic tricks. He found time during a busy career to coach his children's sports teams and take the family on many adventures.

Rex took up the game of golf in retirement. He loved the challenge, but more importantly found many new friends for swapping stories, good-natured ribbing, and penny-ante wagers to keep things interesting. He was a member of the Berry Creek Country Club for many years and more recently, the Georgetown Country Club.

Rex swapped service to his country for service to the Georgetown community. He served on the Board of Directors of Faith In Action Georgetown, including a term as President, and served on the Georgetown Airport Advisory Board. Rex was a lifelong Christian and an active member of Georgetown's First United Methodist Church where he served in many different roles. He was never afraid to get his hands dirty – whether helping to build ramps for the Texas Ramp Project or staining beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Rex is survived by his children Jean Croft (Jeff), son Michael (Ashley), and son Kyle; Christa Haslip (Craig), son Jeffrey, son Bryan (Alicia), and daughter Jessica Gabler (Conrad), and granddaughter Joy; Bruce Cloud (Marisa), son Zachary and daughter Talia. Rex is also survived by his sister Agatha Eubank and sister-in-law Brigitte Rollings. Rex is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Peggy, and brothers-in-law John Rollings and Glen Eubank. Rex's family would like to send special thanks to Norma Walston for her friendship with Rex over the past several years. He will also be missed by his faithful companion Riley.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 AM on April 24th at Ramsey Funeral Home, 5600 Williams Drive in Georgetown. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rex's memory may be made to First United Methodist Church of Georgetown or Faith In Action Georgetown at P.O. Box 743, Georgetown, Texas 78627.

You may share a message or memory in the online memorial guestbook at www.RamseyFuneral.com .