Rex Balko

The family of Rex Balko will celebrate his life of 61 years at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. He passed on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. In support of the health of everyone, face coverings are mandatory while attending the service. The service will be live-streamed on this page, where you are encouraged to sign the virtual guestbook and share memories and expressions of sympathy.On April 8, 1959, Rex was born to Leon and Audna Balko in Lubbock, TX.  While growing up, he learned several trades from his father, home construction/roofing, electrical, plumbing, and mechanics. After graduating from Coronado High School, he embarked on a road trip to California, in a street legal dune buggy he made from a chopped station wagon. There he furthered his skills in commercial construction, road work, and bartending. Most of these skills were used throughout his life, mainly on family projects.Rex returned to Texas in 1981, settling in Amarillo. While attending Nursing School at Amarillo College and working at Northwest Texas Hospital, he met Kathy Scrimpsher. They were married on August 1, 1986. Rex and Kathy were blessed with two sons, Regan born February 1990, and Collin born May 1991. Rex’s nursing career then led him to Lubbock. This second phase of his career started at Methodist Hospital, where he worked with heart transplant patients and in multiple critical care areas.Survivors include his mother, Audna Balko; wife, Kathy Balko; their children, Regan Balko, and Collin Balko and wife Halston; a grandson, Coen Balko; a brother, Edmond Balko and wife Donna; along with eight nieces and nephews.He is preceded in death by his father, Leon Balko.