Rex Ezell Morton

Rex Ezell Morton, 97, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully at his home in Costa Mesa, California on October 2, 2023. Born November 15, 1925 in Slick, Oklahoma to Alva David and Minnie Ezell Morton, he graduated from Little Rock High School in 1943 and served in the Air Force in Okinawa, Japan during World War II and stateside during the Korean War. Rex graduated with a degree in architecture from The University of Oklahoma and began his architecture career in Oklahoma City.

Rex married Margaret Lee Doumany and raised two wonderful children Jennifer and David.

Early In his career, Rex and Margaret moved to California to join his OU classmate Ray Cobb to found Cobb & Morton Architects in Los Gatos, CA. Rex was a long-time resident of San Jose. He served as the President of the American Institute of Architects Silicon Valley Chapter and the Los Gatos Kiwanis Club. He also served as the Chairman of the Los Gatos Parking Commission and was instrumental in building much-needed parking for the town he called a “Gem of the Foothills.” Along with designing commercial and office buildings, and custom homes, Rex designed numerous projects for the Presbyterian Church, including El Sombroso Oaks, a home for retired ministers and missionaries.

Rex and Margaret were active members of the Los Gatos Presbyterian Church. Rex served as an Elder, taking leadership roles in the Personnel and Nominating committees. Rex and Margaret enjoyed traveling the world, and Rex was an avid skier, marathon runner, cyclist, golfer, and rower.

Upon retirement, he and Margaret moved to Bakersfield, California. Rex remained active in Bakersfield, working as a consulting architect to the City of Bakersfield. He was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church Clipper Club, Bakersfield Kiwanis, and a member and supporter of the Bakersfield Museum of Art. Following Margaret’s passing, Rex was introduced to Nora Barnhard and the two maintained a special relationship for the balance of his life.

Rex is survived by his daughter Jennifer Seguin (San Jose); son and daughter-in-law, David and Kristine Morton (Newport Beach); and six grandchildren: Katherine, Julianna and Caroline Morton (Newport Beach and Phoenix AZ); and Matthew, Natalie, and Steven Seguin (San Jose). A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Dec. 1 at 2:00 pm, at the First Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos, where he will be laid to rest in the Memorial Garden, with a reception following. A Celebratory Reception will be held Friday, Dec. 8 at 3:00 pm at the Bakersfield Museum of Art. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the American Cancer Society-ovarian cancer or The Bakersfield Museum of Art.

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