He attended local schools then attended the University of Oklahoma. At the age of seven, he knew he wanted to be a doctor. Rex did a “Combined Program” of college and medical school in seven years, graduating in 1962.
In 1957 Rex married Sue Nelson. They had three children: Rex II, Todd, and Mark.
Rex did an internship at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, then was drafted into the U.S. Air Force. As a Wing Surgeon he was stationed in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He was also an Accident Investigator. After military service he completed a two-year residency at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center in internal medicine.
In June of 1969, the family moved to Carson City. He joined Jack Harper and Hank Davis, which later became Mountain Medical. Over the years a number of doctors participated in this practice.
In 1969 the University of Nevada Medical School was created, and he began teaching part time at the school. For nearly 50 years he served as a UNR Med clinical professor and Student Outreach Clinic volunteer, influencing the education and careers of hundreds of future physicians. Medical students honored him twice with the Thomas J. Scully Praeceptor Carissimus award, “beloved teacher.”
Rex married Karen Garaventa Lehman in January 1984. He inherited a daughter, Brandi Lehman. He learned a great deal about horses and rodeos after becoming a member of a six-generation Nevada family.
Rex was a member of many organizations including the Carson Tahoe Hospital (CTH Medical Director / Board of Directors), Nevada State Medical Board of Examiners (President, Vice President), Nevada Lung Association (President) UNR Medical School Admissions Committee; Friends in Service Helping (FISH – Medical Director), Blue Cross of Nevada Board of Directors, and the Sunset Rotary Club (President).
It was important for Rex to donate his body to the UNR Medical School. He also wanted to assist students and created an endowment fund to help them as well as patients of CTH.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Mark, and his brothers Everett and Bryce.
Rex is survived by his wife of 38 years, Karen Garaventa, sons Rex Baggett II (children Jason and Kareen / grandkids Emily, Jimmy, Jaden, and Max), Todd Baggett (children Megan and Tyler), Mark’s son Torin and stepchildren Cheyenne and Zac, and Brandi Lehman Jensen (son-in-law Jesse and children Haley, Brooke and Kade).
A “Celebration of Life” will be held on Saturday, August 27th at the First Presbyterian Church in Carson City at 2:00 PM. The service will also be live streamed. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either of Rex’s endowment funds. The Carson Tahoe Health Community Fund, (to serve as a resource for patients and families facing financial hardship), 1600 Medical Parkway, Carson City, NV 89703 or online at carsontahoe.com/give. The University of Nevada Medical School, (to help medical students facing financial hardships), Mail Stop 162, Reno, NV 89557-0162; or via credit card by calling the Foundation at (775) 784-1587, or gifts online may be made at the following website https://med.unr.edu/give.
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