Rex Barry Brokaw, 78, of Mount Vernon, Ohio passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2026. He was at the Mount Vernon Health and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by family. He was born on July 10, 1947 in Mount Vernon to the late Rex C. and Monna L. (Darling) Brokaw.

Barry graduated from Utica High School in 1966. While in his junior year he set a school record running the mile in 4 minutes and 23.4 seconds. This helped earn him a spot on the Utica High School Hall of Fame. He held the record until 2022.

After high school, Barry honorably served his country in the Army seeing combat in the Vietnam War and earning the rank of Sargeant. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) acting as a Chaplain for 5 years and a lifetime member of American Veterans (AMVETS).

Barry worked and ultimately retired as a telecommunications technician (United Telephone/Sprint/Embarq). While employed he was an active union member and served as a local President in the Communications Workers of America (CWA). He also served for 6 years on the Mount Vernon City Council representing the 4th Ward.

Barry coached his two daughters’ softball teams for many years. Some of Barry’s hobbies included fishing and collecting baseball cards and NASCAR memorabilia. He was an avid poker player. Through the years he enjoyed playing pool and bowling. In his later years you could find Barry eating at Southside Diner, entering the drawings at VFW and AMVETS and buying lottery tickets all around town.

Barry is survived by his children; Angie (Rob) Simmons of Fredericktown, Brandi Brokaw of Mount Vernon and Barry (Diana Rodríguez) Brokaw of Silver Spring, Maryland; grandchildren, Brandon Simmons, Marissa (Dakota) Hamilton, Gavin Richert, Grayson Brokaw, and Luisa Brokaw-Rodríguez; great children, Mylee and Asher Richert; sisters, Tammy Hubb of Fredericktown, Gloria Flynn of Mount Vernon, Darla Carpenter of Richlands, North Carolina, and Sylvia Collins of Arab, Alabama; brothers, Perry Brokaw of Lakeland, Florida, Tim Brokaw of Fredericktown, Kelly Brokaw of Mount Gilead, and Barney Brokaw of Vail, Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will have a graveside service in Quaker Cemetery near Fredericktown at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Military Honors will be provided by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council.

To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com

The Snyder Funeral Homes, Dowds Chapel is honored to serve the family of Rex Barry Brokaw.

Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes, Dowds Chapel

Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com