Rex Marshall Deloach

1937 - 2025

Rex Marshall Deloach

October 3, 1937 - May 7, 2025

Okatie, South Carolina - Rex Marshall Deloach, 87, of Spring Island, South Carolina died peacefully Wednesday, May 7, 2025, with his beloved wife of 43 years, Ruthann Ray, at his side. Rex had been diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer and dementia in September 2023. He is survived by his wife Ruthann Ray, his son Steven Marc Deloach (Christine Marie Schultz) and his brother Gerald David Deloach. He is predeceased by his brother, Wiley Inman Deloach, his mother, Clara Gray Inman Deloach, and his father, Governor M. Deloach. A memorial service will be held in Memphis at a later date.

Rex was a Certified Public Accountant. He took a circuitous route to the accountancy profession. He dropped out of college at Delta State University to join the Navy. After four years as an enlisted man, he realized the difference between officers and enlisted men was education, so he resolved to resurrect his college studies. After being rejected from Memphis State University, his Naval Captain wrote a compelling recommendation that convinced MSU to accept him on probation-- (a first for the college). He demonstrated his work ethic from that point forward and excelled both in accounting and full-time work to support his young son and wife. Upon graduation in 1963, he joined Touche Ross and became managing partner of the Memphis office in 1976. His career took an unusual turn when he left Touche Ross and ultimately joined Arthur Andersen & Co., a firm that had rarely hired from the outside. After two years in the trenches as a manager, he made partner and managing partner simultaneously at the Memphis office of Arthur Andersen in 1980, serving in that role for 17 years.

Rex loved to serve clients and deliver beyond expectations, which was strengthened by his talent and understanding of the fundamentals of business. Whether he audited a large SEC or NYSE firm or a small family-owned business, he held himself and others to very high standards- -sometimes to the consternation of his colleagues. Nevertheless, he is fondly remembered by many of his partners, staff and clients. Rex had the ability to see the heart of the matter. He understood risk and assisted his clients in managing risk throughout his career in public accounting.

Rex retired from public accounting in 1997 as a Senior Partner with Arthur Andersen & Co., the only small office partner to be named a senior partner. Rex failed at retirement. He became the Interim Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration at the University of Mississippi in 1997, helping to restructure the University for three happy years. Finally, he spent the remainder of his professional life working with his wife Ruthann in a mostly harmonious manner. Their consulting firm engaged in management and financial consulting and litigation support services. He worked until his illness made work impossible.

Rex was born in Carroll County, Mississippi. He grew up primarily in Clarksdale, Mississippi and aspired, periodically, to return. Finally, he convinced Ruthann to move to Oxford, Mississippi as a compromise. The Oxford "farm" was home for the longest period of his life more than 20 years. He made that overgrown property beautiful. The desire for "one more" boat led him to Beaufort County in South Carolina. Rex owned more boats than can be properly counted, but he loved his 36' Grand Banks trawler, the 39' Sea Ray cruiser, and the 50' Selene trawler the most. Rex's longing to own a boat never abated.

Rex served the Memphis community during his years there as President of the Shelby County TN Health & Education Board, President of Volunteer Park on Mud Island, member of the Executive Committee of the Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Board of Advisors for the University of Memphis. He was President of the Delta State University Foundation. He also served 18 years as a Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Longleaf Partners Funds.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent either to the Friends of Carolin Hospice, 329 Friends Lane, Ridgeland, SC 29936 or to the First Presbyterian Church, 1201 North Street, Beaufort, SC 29909.