Major General (Ret.) Charles Rex Driggers passes away

Major General (Ret.) Charles Rex Driggers, 86, passed away on July 6, 2019 at his home in Mount Pleasant. He was born on May 16, 1933 in Mount Pleasant to Charles G. Driggers and Dona Chapman Driggers.

He is survived by his loving wife, Nelda Driggers; son Charles Steven Driggers of Texarkana, Texas; daughter Susie Chen of Texarkana, Texas; daughter and son-in-law Laura and George Savage of Commerce; grandchildren Brad Schucker, Brian Schucker, Leslie Ponko, Tiffany Qu, Alisha Driggers, Tyler Driggers, Kayleigh Rapp, Zack Driggers, and Jake Driggers; and nine great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and father.

A Mount Pleasant native, Rex Driggers served his country and his state with honor and distinction culminating 37 years in the military.

He was commissioned in in 1955 and graduated in the top of his class from the US, Flight School. He served as an all-weather instrument flying instructor pilot for the 3555 Combat Crew Training Wing.

He completed nine years of active duty in 1964 and transferred to the Texas Air National Guard, initially assigned to fly the six engine KC- 97L He regularly participated in and led over 15 deployments to Europe as an aircrew member and Commander supporting Operation Creek Party, which lasted over ten years during the Cold War and into the Vietnam era.

Operation Creek Party kept the U.S. Air Force fighters in Europe refueled and in the air with full combat capability.

In 1978, then Lt Col Driggers was instrumental in the 136th Air Refueling Wing's complete mission conversion from air refueling to tactical airlift. He supported the transition to the C-1308 aircraft and in 1985, as the 136th Airlift Wing Commander, Col Driggers guided the unit through another conversion to the new C-130H aircraft.

His motivation and leadership capabilities led his units to a rating of excellent on all inspections during his command. He was an outstanding pilot and instructor, amassing over 6,000 hours in the military and 23,000 hours as an American Airline pilot, all accident free.

He served as the Commander of the Texas Air National Guard from 1989 to 1992 where he commanded close to 4,000 enlisted and officer service members throughout 11 military installations in Texas.

He relentlessly worked to obtain congressional approval and funding for the current Headquarters Texas Air National Guard facility at Camp Mabry in Austin. The facility has been home to the Texas Air National Guard for over 25 years, helping to fortify the Air Guard's presence on an Army installation while bolstering Airmen morale.

He was readily recognized by his peers for his ability to utilize all assets available under his command to make critical intuitive decisions for all Texas Air National Guard units. He exuded the love for his country, state of Texas, and duty, by all of his actions as demonstrated by his career and memorable unit visits and Commander's Calls.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Oak Leaf cluster, President Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters and numerous other federal and state awards.

A funeral for Rex Driggers will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant with visitation being held an hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Burial will follow at Farmers Academy Cemetery in Mount Pleasant. Services are under the direction of Bates-Cooper-Sloan Funeral Home.

Memorial donations can be made to the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter.

Online registry is available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome.com