Francis Michael Christopher Rey, whom everyone knows as Chris, was born in St Louis May 2nd, 1940, to Francis Rey & Daisy Rey (nee Sheridan). Chris passed away peacefully on May 20th, 2017, in San Antonio, TX, succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease, with his two sons Mike & Brian by his side.
Chris was the oldest of five siblings, Mary Ann, Stephen, Barry, & Annette. At the age of five, he met Sharon McCarthy at St Agatha’s Catholic school in their 1st grade class. Chris & Sharon continued as classmates and friends all the way through high school at St John the Baptist. Chris became the star athlete & Sharon the Valedictorian. They would marry 16 years after first meeting, and bring sons Mike & Brian into the family.
Chris was an exceptional all around athlete in soccer, baseball, & football. Chris would practice soccer so much he would be the only kid on the field at night, under the lights. This drive & dedication led to an invitation for the 1956 US Olympic Soccer team tryouts in St Louis, at age 16.
In 1959, Chris enlisted the US Army, completing boot camp at Ft Leonardwood, MO. He always credited his strong Catholic school education as enabling him to produce high test scores which allowed him to be selected to serve in the Intelligence field of the Army Security Agency. During his time at Ft Huachuca, AZ & Korea, he was tasked with collecting Electronic Intelligence & conducting Electronic Warfare functions.
Chris completed his Army stint, and in 1963 joined the US Air Force in the Security Police field. In 1970, he was selected for a Boot Strap Commission allowing him to complete his college degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Chris graduated Officer Training School in July, 1971, whereupon he was switched over to his true calling, the Office of Special Investigations. As an OSI Special Agent, Chris was involved in the investigation of all major crimes, and further conducted Espionage/Counter-Espionage activities in the US & overseas. Chris was famously involved in the Son of Sam murders investigation in the mid-1970’s. But at the end of his career he was a catcher of spies, most notably leading the investigation and subsequent arrest of an Air Force officer who had provided Titan II nuclear launch codes to the Soviet Union, which at the time was deemed, “the worst breach of security in Air Force history”.
Chris’ military assignments took him to Korea, Italy, Philippines, Turkey, and TDY’s notably to Japan, Iran, and Germany, nearly every US state, & of course places he could not tell discuss.
Post military life led Chris to work for the NSA, RCA, and a law firm in Kansas City, before starting Aabott-Rey Detective Agency here in St Louis. During this time he married Michele McCarthy, but they only had a few years until she was taken by cancer. Chris moved to Texas due to his health where he fell in love with Nancy Hewitt, who was with him until his passing.
Chris is preceded in death by his parents & spouse Michele. Chris is survived by his sons Mike (Shari) Rey & Brian (Kelly) Rey. Grandpa (or Gruncle) Chris was always proud of his grandchildren, Michael, Adam, Trevor, Christin, Bricen, Maddie, & Lauren.
Funeral at Kutis South County chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., Saturday, May 27, 10:00 a.m. . Interment J.B. National Cemetery.