Interment:

Ozark Cemetery at Houston, MO

Obituary:

Denver Joe Rees, 92 of Mtn. Grove, MO passed away on Feb. 1, 2020 at the Springfield Rehab and Healthcare Center in Springfield, MO. He was born on Sept. 25, 1927 in Grandview, MO the son of Virgil and Virgie (Harmon) Rees.

Denver was brought up strict and worked hard in the logging woods at 13 years old. He attended and graduated from Summersville High School where he was a star basketball player and where he met his wife, Betty. They were juniors and seniors when they started dating; Betty was only a junior and he didn't want her to go back to school for her senior year, so she quit and they were married.

Denver's work history was mainly in wood; this consisted of logging and owning a post mill and pallet company. He would later own and operate the El Rancho Truck Stop for a number of years; most of his endeavors were with his father, Virgil. After selling the truck stop, he and Betty remodeled houses, often being in a house a short time before selling. He once bought a house in the morning and sold it the same afternoon, they laughed and said, "at least we were already packed".

Betty and Denver rededicated their lives in 2010, Connie's minister came to her home before Betty went to the nursing home and prayed with them and thats when they both accepted their life and work should be again offered up to Jesus. They attended Elk Creek Baptist Church in their younger years and then the Mtn. Grove First Baptist Church. Denver loved attending the Mtn. Grove Christian Church after he moved to Assisted Living, they picked him up every week for church services.

Denver was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Melinda; his wife of 65 years, Betty and his brother, Buck Rees. He is survived by his children, Connie Mallon of Springfield, MO and Randy Rees and wife, Deb of Cabool, MO; brother, Dwayne Rees and wife, Jean; sisters, Betty Ream and Jenny McKinney and husband, Glen; 4 grandchildren, Erik and Stacie Rees of Waynesville; Jamie and LeeAnne Ussery of Springfield, Kelley Chandler of Mt. Vernon and April Dawson of Springfield; 11 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him. Denver had a full life and suffered many physical challenges, but overcome them all. We know he is now at peace with his Savior