Rex Shotts

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Marvin "Rex" Shotts (born 1937 in Hamilton; died September 3, 2007 in Birmingham) was an electrician for the American Cast Iron Pipe Company and an avid hunter.

Shotts was one of four siblings born to Ernie and Hazel May Shotts of Hamilton in Marion County. As a toddler he was notorious for wandering off to play at a nearby creek. His parents resorted to chaining him to the porch to keep him in sight.

The family moved to Birmingham to operate a grocery store. Rex made deliveries on a bicycle while he was a student at Phillips High School. He then went to the University of Alabama, hitchhiking back every weekend to work at the store.

After college, Shotts joined the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and was posted to France, where he rose to the rank of master sergeant. After returning to Birmingham he found a job at ACIPCO's mail department. He remained with the company in various jobs until retiring in 2000 as a master electrician.

Shott was a devoted hunter and purchased land in Hale County as well as northern Jefferson County where he would go each weekend during duck and rabbit season. Often his wife, Betty, would accompany him, staying in the camper trailer to cook.

Shortly after he retired, Shotts suffered a stroke, which kept him hospitalized for three months, after which he began a long program of rehabilitation. In 2004 a series of "mini-strokes" forced him to remain largely homebound, and eventually consigned him to hospice care.

Shotts was survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter, and 11 grandchildren.

References

  • Thornton, William (December 27, 2008) "Marvin Rex Shotts loved the outdoors, family." Birmingham News