At the 2023 When We Were Young Fest in Las Vegas, festivalgoers stumbled upon a unique memorial—a koozie emblazoned with the image of a man named Rex and the inscription “Cheers To Rex 1943-2023.” This poignant find sparked curiosity on the r/WhenWeWereYoungFest subreddit, where attendees and fans rallied to uncover the story behind the tribute.
Community members quickly identified Rex Howard Neeley, who passed away on September 2, 2023, at 80 years old. Born in Marion, Indiana, Rex served honorably in the United States Air Force before a longtime career at Dana Corporation. After retiring in 1998, he lived in Arizona, Longview, Texas, and finally settled in Sun City, Texas, where he was celebrated as a “Sun City Icon” known for his passion for golf and shuffleboard.
The koozie appears to be a heartfelt homage honoring Rex’s memory, though no further connection to festival lore or organizers has been disclosed. For those who found it, this small collectible offered a touching, personal layer to their When We Were Young Fest experience—reminding us all of the individual stories behind festival culture.
For those interested in learning more about Rex Neeley’s life, his obituary is available here.
This discovery highlights how even fleeting festival items can carry deep emotional resonance, turning ordinary keepsakes into meaningful mementos.
Source: r/WhenWeWereYoungFest