Rex Ned Steelman, 60, of Odessa, Missouri, passed away June 21, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family, after 4 short months of battling Glioblastoma. Rex was born on March 31, 1965, in Lexington, Missouri, to Norris Ned and Judith (McNeel) Steelman. Rex graduated from Odessa High School in May 1983. Rex meets his wife Tracey (Dike) and spent 2 years just swinging on her family swing before they were united in marriage March 10, 1984.
Rex and Tracey lived in Odessa for most of their lives. They raised three children. Rex was a born cowboy. He was heavily involved in agriculture from a young age by working on the family farm raising cows and horses. Rex and Tracey owned and operated several businesses including S & S Directional Boring and Steelman Trucking. Driving in his Kenworth, “Blacky”, was Rex’s passion until he received his last dispatch. He was 30,000 miles from having a million miles on Blacky. Because of these businesses, Rex and Tracey travel the States with their children and made memories to last a lifetime.
Rex’s favorite titles of all were “Dad” and “Papa”. He loved sharing his passions and interests with his kids and grandkids. While Rex is in greener pastures taking another long-awaited ride on Boone, he will be remembered for every one shot one kill hunt, every full moon, every motorcycle ride, and many other adventures. Rex’s nephew Skylar, who called him Papa also, will remember him especially for his cheesecake. In later years Rex traded in his “hay burners,” (as he would call his horses), for motorcycles and enjoyed rock crawling with friends and family in his Jeep “Stomper.”
Rex was preceded in death by his mother, Judy and niece, LeeAnn Dike and several close friends.
Rex is survived by: his wife, Tracey, of the home; three children; son, Rex Steelman Jr., Blue Springs, daughter Nicole Wade and husband Matt, Odessa, son, Shane Steelman and wife Samantha, Odessa; grandchildren; Westin and Oaklee Wade; father, Norris Ned Steelman, Odessa; two sisters; Annette (Jim) Colvin, Odessa, Tonya (Doug) Ackerman, Manhattan, Kansas; Niece Lacy Ackerman Camerer (Matt) and great niece and nephew Addison and Harrison Camerer. In-laws Clarence and Karen Dike, Centerview; Darren Dike, Centerview; and Terry (Mitch) Raney, Higginsville and nephews Skout and Skylar Raney.
We will always miss our special phone ringtones and long conversations.
HUSBAND IS CALLING… DAD IS CALLING
Celebration of Life will be November 1st between 1-4 pm at Mayview Community Building
104 West Marshall St. Mayview, MO 64071
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441