of Little Rock, AR
August 24, 1942 - February 12, 2023
Rex Lyman Eley, PhD, 80, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, February 12, 2023 surrounded by his family. He fought a courageous battle against cancer for eight years. He was born in Hope, Arkansas on August 24, 1942. He was a member of Hebron Baptist Church and the Men's Sunday School Class. Although they had not been able to participate recently due to Rex's illness, church and church activities have always been an important part of Rex and Belinda's lives.
Rex is survived by his loving wife, Belinda Coley Eley; two sons, Christopher Lyman Eley (Stacey) of Alexander and Bayly Foster Eley (Emily) of Little Rock and two grandchildren, Ashton Miranda Eley of Little Rock and Aaron Christopher Eley (Emma Brynn) of Benton. He is also survived by his sister, Nona Eley Jones (Don) of Nashville, Arkansas and his sister-in-law, Linda Coley Barg of Little Rock along with many nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Gregory Glen Eley and by his parents, Glen Dale Eley and Thelma Wardlaw Eley.
Rex was raised on a farm in Southwest Arkansas between Nashville and Prescott. His Dad's faith, values and work ethic and Rex's rural upbringing were major influences in his life. He was an avid hunter and fisherman all his life. From an early age, his times alone in the woods were where he felt closest to God. He loved being outdoors with family and friends.
Rex graduated from Nashville High School (Class of 1961), Southern Arkansas University (BS, Biology, 1966) and Oklahoma State University (Masters and PhD, Limnology, 1970). He spent fifteen years in water resources research and consulting before entering into private business. His most cherished times were working with his boys to build a family business that they own and operate today.
Rex was a faithful husband, father, Papa and friend. He was also a dedicated provider for his family. He loved spending time with them and having reunions with his sister and her family. He also loved traveling with his wife in remote areas of the United States and Canada.
Visitation will be held from 12:30pm until 1:30pm Thursday, February 16, 2023 at Hebron Baptist Church, 18715 Kanis Rd, Little Rock, Arkansas with the funeral service scheduled at 1:30pm. Burial will follow in Pine Crest Memorial Park, 7401 Hwy 5 North, Alexander, Arkansas 72002.
The family would like to thank Dr. Sam Makhoul and his staff at CARTI and the staff of Gentiva Hospice for their loving attention and excellent care. Also, a special thank you to Curtis and Carl for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to CARTI Cancer Center, 8901 Carti Way, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 or Hebron Baptist Church, 18715 Kanis Rd, Little Rock, Arkansas 72223 or Gentiva Hospice, 10800 Financial Center Parkway, Suite 100, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211.
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36 Condolence(s)
Kimberly Trice
Sunday, March 5, 2023
I am so sorry for your tremendous loss. I certainly am praying for your family as you make adjustment to your lives.
Grace and Peace,
Kimberly Trice
Patrick and Sally Kennedy
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Belinda and family, we got to know Rex through the Sunday school class at Highland Valley United Methodist Church. We are so sorry for your loss. He is in the arms of his creator now and is at peace.
Bill Posner
Friday, February 17, 2023
My condolences to Belinda, Chris and the entire family. As a former Board of Directors member of ESAC, I knew Rex as a friendly and caring person whose talent and ability to advance the interest of ESAC was well known to all of us It was my privilege to work with him on the Board. He will be sorely missed by me and I am sure many others who knew him as a gentleman and valued associate.
William B Posner
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Brian Fannin
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
I work with his son Bayly and have nothing but respect for the influence Rex had as a father for the professional that Bayly is. Very sorry for the family's loss and my most cincere condolences.
Mary Oppenheimer
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Belinda,
I am so sorry to hear of your family's loss. I met Rex when I worked on employee leasing issues at the IRS and came to know him better when I served on the ECAS Board, The words that come to mind when I think of him are vision, ethics, perseverance, and kindness. He was a remarkable man and a true gentleman. I learned a great deal from him.
Mary Oppenheimer
The Palmer Family, Aunt Faye, Uncle Art, Stephen and Angela, Mark and Jennifer
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
With deepest sympathy and fond memories of Rex! Nona Jo and family, we recall fun days down on the farm.
In the love of Jesus. Aunt Faye McMahen Palmer and Uncle Art
Michael & Jennifer Bialas
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
We are deeply saddened to learn of your father's passing. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Michael & Jennifer Bialas
Steve Glenn
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Belinda, Chris and Family,
My sincere condolences to each of you. Through his many business ventures and involvement in the lives of people around him, Rex made a positive impact on many people. I was extremely fortunate to be one of them and owe him a lot for the opportunities he provided me. His kindness, passion for life, integrity and selfless efforts to be a mentor and friend to so many is a perfect example of a life well lived.
Jay Morgan
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
First and foremost, Rex loved God and loved others – fulfilling Jesus’ greatest commandments.
Rex's leadership, work ethic, intellect and passion were exceeded by no one and his devotion to family was also an example to me.
He and other "founding fathers" laid a solid foundation for the now thriving PEO industry and its Little Rock, AR based national accrediting entity - ESAC.
To Belinda, Chris, and the rest of the Family, thank you for sharing Rex, who positively impacted so many lives, including mine.
Now, may the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, wrap His loving arms around you and surround you with His Grace and Peace. 2 Cor 1:3-4.
Jay and Vicki
Abbey Olberts
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Dear Belinda, Chris, and Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I will be always be grateful to Rex for founding ESAC. I know he was a pioneer in the PEO industry and left a lasting impact.
We will be keeping your family in our thoughts as you navigate this difficult time.
Lynda Sorrells
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Belinda, I am so saddened to hear of Rex’s passing. Please know you are in my heart and prayersâ¤ï¸ðŸ™
Greg Slamowitz
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
My sincerest condolences. I had the honor to work with Rex for years in our trade association. Rex was integrity. His words and actions were always sound and based on rock solid values. I always treasured his advise. He will be missed.
Wayne Quigg
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
As a new Independent Director for ESAC, Rex patiently shared his knowledge of the PEO Industry to assist in my development. I am very greatful for his time and expertise.
Mark Sinatra
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
I got to know Rex starting in 2011 when I first joined the ESAC board. He was extremely generous with his time and expertise with me when he didn't have to be. As I got to know Rex over the years, I gained the highest level of respect for his passion for the PEO industry and ESAC as he was truly a pioneer in our industry. Rex will be sorely missed. My prayers go out to his family and loves ones.
Barron Guss
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of my friend...
Rex exemplified what it is like to have a full life. His love for his family was evident from the moment you met him. He was a 'selfless' giver and problem solver that took great pride in knowing that he could make a difference in the lives of others. His work later in life with leading ESAC and developing it into cornerstone of the PEO industry is beyond notable.
I personally will miss his warmth and the "twinkle" in his eye. May the memory of Rex be a blessing to all whom he loved and all who loved him.
BG
Gloria Horton Moody
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Belinda, I am so sorry to hear of your husband passing. Praying for you and your family.
God bless you
Gloria Horton Moody
Susan Primrose
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Im so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers to help you get past the pain and grief that you have at this time.
Don G King
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Rex was my Friend, Mentor, and business Advisor for over two decades. When God mad Rex he then broke the mold. I have never met a man who was so giving. I call him my EF Hutton as he was the best listener a man could ask for and when he spoke people listened. My prayers to his family. He will be missed dearly.
Mary Lynn and Sheffield Nelson
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Dear Belinda, we are so sorry for your loss . Please know we are keeping you and your family in our prayers. Please call us if we
can be of any help to you in this coming year.â¤ï¸
Clay Kelley
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Rex was a thought-leader and champion, the entire PEO industry is better because of Rex Eley. Our prayers are with Belinda and the Eley family.
Andy Atsaves
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
We've all lost a dear friend, one who could always be counted on. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Ely family from afar.
Garry Bradford
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Belinda and family, I had the pleasure of knowing Rex for over 25years through our industry. As a start up company Rex took me under his wings and help guide us through many challenges that companies go through. In later years I had the honor of working side by side with Rex on different committies within the PEO industry to include ESAC, the Certification Institute for Workers Compensation Insurance, and the NAPEO board of directors. Rex would always find time to mentor me even though he had many more important challenges on his plate. Rex's wit, kindness, his smile, friendship, intelligence, belief in God, family, friends and the great out doors will be part of his great legacy. God, get ready one of the great ones is on his way. Rex will be missed.
Mark Perlberg
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
I had the privilege of knowing and working with Rex for many years. There was no stronger advocate for our industry and for ESAC. His passion was contagious. My deepest condolences to Rex’s family.
Todd Feltman
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
My condolences to the family and many friends of Rex Eley. What a GREAT man! Met Rex 25+ years ago. He was gracious enough to host Don King and myself at his duck hunting lodge/club and take us duck hunting while we were in town for PEO training with Express Human Resources. We maintained contact and a relationship since that time. Rex was a true Pioneer in the PEO industry and will certainly be missed by many. Enjoyed spending time with Rex not only in the duck blind but in a turkey blind as well. He loved sharing about his family and was always willing to share his experiences and advice with me and our company and for that I am thankful and grateful. Thoughts and Prayers to his family and to all of those who knew and loved Rex!
John W. Allen
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
I knew Rex from our business dealings. He was a great advocate for our industry and a pioneer in creating programs like ESAC that would support our growth and credibility. Rex was always forthright and fair. I could tell he was well grounded. A good man who will be very much missed. Our condolences to his family and friends.
Donald Parker
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Rex will be missed. I owe him a lot for his guidance over the years we worked together.
He has left this world of the dying, but now resides in the land of the living.
Thoughts and prayers or with his family and friends.
Ashley Martinez
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Belinda, Chris, and Family,
Angelo and I are very sorry for your loss. I will be forever grateful to Rex for introducing me to the PEO industry that he worked so tirelessly to advance.
Ryan and Jennifer Reynolds
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Bayly and family, Jen and I are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts at this difficult time. Our sincere condolences.
Ryan and Jennifer Reynolds
Tony Frisco
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Bayly, so sorry to read the news about your father. My deepest condolences. -Tony
Rick McNeill
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Dear Belinda and family.
So sorry for your loss. the World lost a good man with Rex’s passing. God must of needed a duck guide! Rex was a very good friend to the McNeill family and especially to my father Don. He will be missed by us and the entire Lakeside community. Be assured that he’s out of pain and in a better place. The McNeill family.
Lloyd E Fleming (Pete)
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Jane McCoggins
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Belinda and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Rex was devoted to you all and I know his love will be felt in your hearts forever. He will be missed by his ESAC and PEO friends who will always appreciate his legacy of tireless devotion to the industry he helped build and grow.
We love you all.
Jane and Kevin
Carla Coleman
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Belinda and Family . We are so very sorry to learn about Rex passing. Our thoughts and prayers to you He certainly gave a big fight all these years. Carla and Carter Coleman
Dianne Robinson
Monday, February 13, 2023
I have so many wonderful memories with Rex from the time when I was young (fishing in the pond behind Uncle Glen’s house to Christmas celebrations playing Twister in my grandparent’s living room and all of us getting tangled up. He was a good sport. As I got older into my adulthood I loved to visit with him and talk about family. Rex and Belinda will never know how much my dad, Orville Brakebill loved them and all their visits to see him even though he did tell them. He was so proud of Rex. Rex was like a little brother to my dad instead of a cousin. My grandmother, (Avis Wardlaw Brakebill) and Rex’s mother, Aunt Thelma, were sisters. He was a special cousin and I am glad he is no longer in pain, but he was truly loved and will be missed by so many people. My children (Kevin, Keith, and Karen) also have special memories when they were younger too.
Our sincere sympathy is expressed to all of his family and friends.
Dianne Brakebill Robinson
Karen Robinson Lindsey
Kevin Robinson
Keith Robinson
Chris and Bob White
Monday, February 13, 2023
Bob and I are so sorry on the passing of your Rex. We are here if you need anything.
Love, Chris and Bob