A Tragic Loss: Maj. Rex McTyeire (Ret), U.S. Army Special Forces, and Oath Keepers VP, Has Passed Away
Oath Keepers,
It with great sadness that I inform you that Maj. Rex H. McTyeire (Ret), U.S. Army Special Forces, Oath Keepers Eastern National Vice President, has passed away. Rex died at home of an apparent sudden heart attack on the night of June 6, 2012. His wife, Karen, was with him.
We have lost a brother in arms and a great friend. America has lost a great patriot and warrior in the cause of freedom. His shoes cannot be filled. He cannot be replaced. This is a terrible shock. I just saw him a week ago at Rolling Thunder in D.C., where we spent the weekend outreaching to all of the veterans who had gathered there for Memorial Day. He was as spry and witty as ever. I truly am grateful I had the chance to spend that time with him, but this is such a heavy loss.
When Karen is able to, she will write up Rex’s life story so we can post it, and I will post a more detailed memorial write up. But I wanted to inform you as fast as possible so you have the option of attending the memorial services, which are scheduled for this coming Monday, June 11, 2012. Here are the details:
MEMORIAL SERVICE:
Monday 11 June 2012, at 1400 hours (that’s 2:00 pm) EST:
Blakely Funeral Home
1047 Chesnee Highway
Gaffney SC, 29342
Phone #: 864-488-1141
All Oath Keepers are invited to the memorial service and to a wake/fellowship gathering directly after the Memorial, at the home of Rex and Karen. At the memorial, we will provide directions to the home (that way only those who attend the memorial will know where it is, and Karen’s privacy will be respected).
IF you can possibly make it, please do come and let’s give Rex a send off he would be proud of. He deserves the highest honors and the presence of as many of us as can make it. K aren wants all of you to come if you can, to both the memorial and the gathering at the home after. Come join us in fellowship as we honor this brother in arms, as we toast his life and his service, and as we recommit to going forward in the cause of liberty to which he gave his fullest measure, to the very last. I think it will be most fitting for us to hold an oath renewal ceremony, in his honor, and then raise a glass of scotch whiskey in toast to this great American warrior.
There will be a military honor guard and a bag-piper at the memorial service, but please do bring any flags you have, and anything else you think appropriate to honor this warrior. A snare drummer would be awesome too, if you know anyone.
I will be there, and so will Rand Cardwell (National BOD and TN chapter president) and David Helms (Ranger vet and retired Oath Keepers National Board of Directors). Both Rand and David knew Rex well and I know Rex would be pleased to have them there, as fellow warriors of the highest degree.
SC Chapter President Richard Grumbin will be helping to coordinate. He should be your first stop with any questions on logistics and details, besides what I post here. He can be reached at at 843-708-7717.
We have lost a damn good man. Karen has lost her husband, and right on the heels of losing her Mom last week. She really needs our fullest support and help right now.
MEMORIAL FUND:
We have set up a memorial fund to help with funeral costs and to help his wife Karen with all else she is dealing with. When I know where to send cards and flowers, I will post that too. To donate to the memorial fund, click here:
At the moment I really don’t know what else to say, except that the good die far too young, and life is far too short. Rex, brother, we will miss you terribly and we were MOST honored to have had you among us.
Rex was one of the very first men to step up from across the country when we started Oath Keepers (you can read his testimonial here). He grasped immediately its importance, and he was there at our conference in Vegas in October of 2009 and jumped in with both feet, joining our National Board of Directors, and serving as our first South Carolina Chapter President. I later asked him to become my Eastern U.S. Vice President. He was a tireless leader and spent countless hours online, on our forums, on the phone, and in person getting things done. Having such a fine Special Forces officer in Oath Keepers helped us in immeasurable ways, and besides that, just the way Rex was, as a stubborn Scotsman, made all the difference in many fights. I was proud and honored to have his serve as my Vice President, and all of us on the National Board of Directors were honored to have him among us. He was our brother in a band of brothers.
I remember well his speech at our first convention in 2009 in Vegas, when he spoke of his participation in the Scottish Independence Movement, and he choked up a bit when he spoke of his Scottish heritage, and of the long history of the struggle for freedom in Scotland, and tied it to our current struggle here in America. He read this quote from the Declaration of Arbroath, of 1320:
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Amen. Rex understood that the struggle for freedom is eternal, timeless, and endless, and that every generation, and every man who dares call himself a man, must take up the standard and stand in the breach. He knew it, and lived it. For him, the Special Forces motto of “De Oppresso Liber” (to Liberate the Oppressed), was not just a motto, but a way of life, and a solemn promise, part of his oath, and part of him. He lived it every day of his life, to the very end, and he did not give up, or give the cause of freedom up, but with his life itself.
When Rex conducted an oath renewal ceremony at the South Carolina Tea Party this last year, he told the audience that his oath did not expire when he retired, and he would take it to his grave. And he did.
Please join me in remembering and honoring this great warrior and leader. Your comments in memorial are most welcome, and we will print them up and give them to his wife, Karen, to keep always.
For the Republic,
Stewart Rhodes
Founder and President of Oath Keepers
PS – this traditional Scottish song, about Bonnie Prince Charlie, reminds me of Rex:
“Better loved ye cannot be, will ye no come back again? …
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June 8th, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Sad sad news.
Rest in Peace Rex my brother.
We shall continue the struggle for Liberty.
But … we will miss you.
Capt Gooch
OK BoD Retired
Texas SCP Retired
Capt USMM Retired
Navy Veteran
June 8th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
It was my great Pleasure to meet Rex and Karen for the first time at Rolling Thunder in Washington DC. I am very sorry to hear about his passing and that I didn’t get a chance to spend more time with him. May his spirit live on in all we do.
I just don’t know what else to say.
Mike Williams
PA Chapter VP
June 8th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
I will pray for him and his family at daily mass this week. May God Bless him for his contribution to freedom.
June 8th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
My deepest regards go to Karen over the death of her husband.
Though I never knew him, I too am of scotish descentands and am a retired Marine from ‘Nam era.
Rex sounds like he was a very dedicated American and a true believer of what America is supposed to stand for. He will surely be missed!
June 8th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
At times like this I’m left speachless. I pray for Mrs. McTyeire and hope she has good friends and family close by.
From a fellow veteran, patriot and oath keeper, I say thank you for your service right up to the end. It won’t be in vane. Semper Fidelis.
June 8th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
I send my sincere condolences to the family. We have lost a brave warrior. He is in God’s
army now. Many blessings to the family and friends of this brave warrior!
June 8th, 2012 at 10:35 pm
While not an Official Member of Oath Keeper. I follow weekly the selfless Service Oath Keeper Members continue to Help Keep America a Mighty and Proud Country. I did not have the Honor of knowing Maj. Rex McTyeire. My thoughts and Prayers will be for his wife Karen and his Loyal Friends he has made in the Oath Keepers Service. You have given Your All Maj McTyeire. No Patriot could have given anymore. Rest in Peace Sir. May God Comfort you Karen in this time of your Trajic Loss.
June 9th, 2012 at 3:08 am
i didn’t know you and now i know of you. thank you for your service.
June 9th, 2012 at 3:56 am
Oath Keepers has lost a tireless worker and leader for the cause. As profound as our loss is, our hearts go out to Karen and his loved ones whose loss is unspeakable.
June 9th, 2012 at 3:56 am
My sincere thank you and salute, Major McTyeire. Rest in sweet peace and may God please bless your family in this sad time.