June 9, 1935 – October 2, 2022
The Nebraska Nation lost a pillar of our community, Rex Eugene Ekwall, on October 2, 2022. Rex excelled on the basketball court and baseball field, playing for his high school, the University of Nebraska, and his country. Rex served honorably for the Army on the All-Army and All-Service teams, playing baseball and basketball for Ft. Sill in Oklahoma. In his last year in the Army, Rex coached the All-Army Basketball Team. During Rex’s time at Nebraska, he set the school record in basketball for career rebounding average, collecting 679 in 65 games for a 10.4 per-game average. Rex still holds this record today. In 1960, he played in the Olympic Trials in Denver, CO competing in basketball.
Rex was an astute businessman and esteemed mentor to many, guiding others to have as much success as he worked hard to achieve. Rex spent his early career traveling for work and co-founded the Clugston-Ekwall Oil Company in 1963, later named Rite Way Oil & Gas Co. when he became the sole owner in 1978. He owned and supplied over 40 convenience stores across Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Part of Rex’s business was providing many of his competitors (friends) with fuel, such as Kwik Shop and Gas N Shop. Rex was also a successful business and property investor. Rex valued honesty and integrity and lived his beliefs freely and sincerely, helping any professional peer in need. Rex worked collaboratively with others in his trade and would always take the time to meet with anyone seeking professional guidance. Rex ran his businesses the way he lived, with the highest degree of moral excellence.
Rex was a humble philanthropist and was well known for his immense generosity through various charitable programs. He was active in the Nebraska Teammates Program, Faith Westwood United Methodist Church, Rotary Club, and Lions Club, and was the second founding member of Oak Hills Country Club. One of his most personal gifts to our community was his work with Angel Flight Central, providing a top-ten record of 166 charitable flights in his decade with the organization. Rex received a plethora of awards in his lifetime for his athletic abilities, professional altruism, and exemplary service to his city, state, and country. Rex received the President’s Award for outstanding personal contribution to Air Lifeline and the Golden Eagle Society Certificate for Angel Flight Center. Rex was inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame, Nebraska Basketball Hall of Fame, and is the second winner of Nebraska’s Hall of Fame’s Distinguished Alumni Award, given to a former player and Hall of Fame member who has been a positive force in the state and local community after his playing career.
Above all, Rex was a steadfast family man. Rex and his wife, Loretta, shared 63 years of wedded bliss. Together, they lived a life of love and laughter. Rex was a proud and doting father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His family and devotion to God were at the center of his heart. Rex was also a friend to all and developed many meaningful friendships. Many business associates turned into lifelong friends, as Rex always understood the importance of creating genuine connections with anyone he met.
Rex enjoyed horse racing. As an avid horse owner, he worked closely with trainer Don Von Hamel and his sons Donnie and Kelly for over 50 years. Many of those horses would race at Aksarben, Fonner Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas, and most recently at Prairie Meadows in Iowa. Rex also loved watching the KC Royals nightly, staying up to date on the local weather, dining at local restaurants, and reading his Bible every morning. He was an avid golfer, swimmer, and pilot for many years, traveling to several countries and two Olympics. Rex held football season tickets for over sixty years, attended most Husker football games, both home and away, and flew to bowl games. Rex was also a huge supporter of other Husker athletic programs, holding season tickets for basketball, volleyball, and baseball.
Rex is survived by his wife, Loretta; children: Rick and Brinda (Mark); grandchildren: Wesley, Adam, Candice (Greg), Brian, Justin (Justine), and Rodrick; great-grandchild, Parker; stepsister Nancy (John); many beloved friends and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clifford “Swede” and Bessie; stepmother Martha; step-siblings: Donna (Charlie) and Noel (Opal).
Rex will be remembered for his dedication, loyalty, generosity, and impeccable work ethic. Rex spent every day of his life with the goal of making each day just a little bit better. Because Rex never met a stranger, family and friends can take comfort knowing Rex is now reunited with so many of those connections welcoming him to his heavenly home.
VISITATION: Wednesday, October 5th, at Heafy-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler in Omaha from 5:00 to 7:00PM. FUNERAL: Thursday, October 6th, at 10:00AM at Faith Westwood United Methodist Church.
To view the live broadcast of the service, go to www.HeafeyHeafey.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Angel Flight Central.
54 Comments
Brinda, Mark and family – our deepest condolences today and sending our love your way ! Your in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time!
The Page’s
Thank you! Love love love our Nebraska memorial plaque. Thank you!
Loretta, Stan and I were deeply saddened by the news of Rex’s passing. He will be missed by many. Please know you will be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. God bless.
Thank you!!
My Deepest Sympathy to the family –
Thank you!,
Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with you. Loretta…you and Rex were such great friends to my Mom..miss all those years of great occasions seeing you at Oak Hills CC!!
-The family of Jodeen Petersen
Thank you!!
Rex was such a hero to me 65 years ago! Brenda and I became acquainted about 25 or 30 years ago. Of course it was at a basketball game! I’m so sorry for your loss. Rex will remain a hero to so many for all time
Thank you!!
Brinda, Mark, & family – We are thinking of you this week and after. We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Brinda, you loved your dad so well and I’m confident he was so proud of you.
Thank you!!
What an incredible and impactful life. Deepest condolences to Loretta and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thank you!!
My deepest and sincere condolences to your family. My thoughts and feelings are with you. My prayers are with. Rex was my roommate and teammate at Nebraska. Will deeply miss him.
Thank you so much for the 50 trees you and the Gibson’s had planted in dads Memory. He often talked about you all!!! All good. Ha. Again, thank you!!
So sorry he was a great man .
Thank you for driving Bobby up and coming to the funeral. It was so good to see you!!love and miss you!
Dear Brinda, I am so sorry for your loss. Although I never knew him, I know from pictures how much fun you had with him and how much of an inspiration he was for your family. I know you and your family will miss him tremendously. My prayers are being lifted for all of you.
Thank you!!!
Mark&Brinda & Loretta&Family, Our deepest condolences go out to you all. Our hearts are saddened. Rex was a wonderful person to know he will be greatly missed. We are sending prayers and strength to all of you through this time.
Thank you!!
So sorry to hear about your father. May God give you peace and comfort.
Thank you!!
He is very good.I know him for 15 years.sorry to hear about him
Thank you!!
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Rex’s kindness is the beginning of our story and a wonderful story it is we hold you both in our hearts. We sometimes don’t have the time or take the time to say thankyou so I will take the time to say thankyou to yourself and Rex in heaven for having us be part of the Riteway family.
Thank you!!
Very sorry for your loss. Such a great family!
Thank you!!
Brinda, Mark ad family,
Roger and I are so sorry for your loss. Your father was indeed a great man. We have such great memories of your parents at the boys AAU games. We were blessed to know him. Keeping you all in our prayers.
Thank you!!
My deepest sympathy to Brinda, Rick and their families. Please know that my son, Greg, and daughter, Michaela, send their condolences also. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Rex was the personification of a good person created by God.
Thank you Virginia!!
Our prayers, condolences, love go out to your family.. God is your refugee in times like these!
Thank you!!
Loretta and family,
I am so happy that I got to sit next to you and Rex at Nebraska games for countless years! We enjoyed a lot of good times cheering on the Huskers! I know Rex will continue on the tradition!
My deepest and most sincere sympathy!
Karen and girls
Thank you!!
Rex was a good man he will be greatly missed by many.
Thank you!!
Having met and done business with Clugston-Ekwall Oil, Rex became my idol of life. God Blessed so many with Rex touching our lives and our futures. Rex has gone home to the “Winner’s Circle” of life!
God Bless!
Thank you!!
Mrs Ekwall and Family-
Sorry for your loss. Rex was always giving of his time, money and tickets to a lot of events that happened in Nebraska. I will always remember him driving by my parents house cell phone in his ear and a quick wave. May he rest in peace.
Thank you!!
Loretta & Family-
This is such sad news to hear. We go back many many years in business and personal life’.
We’ve had fun on many trips through various company outing both here and out of the country.
We are so very sad for your loss as we know you two were very close. We wish your many happy memories will help in your sadness.
Our prayers are with you all.
Chuck & Sheila Gregory
Loretta & Family-
This is such sad news to hear. Our hearts go out to you all.
We go back many many years in business and personal life’.
We’ve had fun on many trips through various company outing both here and out of the country.
It was our pleasure to be associated with you two.
Our prayers are with you all.
Chuck & Sheila Gregory
Thank you!!
Loretta so sad to see that Rex has passed. We always so much enjoyed seeing you both every Thursday at Vincenzo’s. To say that he will be sorely missed just doesn’t say enough. Our most heartfelt condolences.
Bill, Patty and all of us at Vincenzo’s
Thank you!!
I was so sad to hear of Rex’s passing. I got to know him over the past couple of years at church when I was greeting. He was always such a joy to talk to. My sincere condolences to the family during this hard time.
Thank you!!
Rex was a great man. It was an honor to work for him when he owned the Wymore store. He showed great kindness to my family during the loss of my daughter and then my husband. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Dear Loretta … My deepest sympathy with Rex’s death.. You had a beautiful marriage and both you and Rex enjoyed faith, family and many friends together… always happy and joyous with life’s many blessings. Peace and Love, Jan
Thank you!!
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