Rex Marshall Deloach

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 (Marshall Blevins-Deloach). He is predeceased by his brother, Wiley Inman Deloach (Cindy Douglas 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. If a manager described a business situation in a memo, Rex recognized whether the description was of the light at the end of a tunnel or a train coming down the track, headlights on, about to obliterate the business. He understood risk and assisted his clients in managing risk throughout his career in public accounting. He also treasured his many hours working with and mentoring young men and women in public accounting. He learned from and leaned on them as well, primarily on the technological side. He never "had the time" to truly learn to use a personal computer, to his everlasting dismay.
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 new Chancellor Robert C. Khayat restructure the University. He earned the nickname "Dr. No" from the faculty (not a compliment) but nevertheless made significant contributions to
implementing Chancellor Khayat's vision for the University. These were three happy years for him. 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. Multiple visitors thought some of the grounds were part of a golf course. The desire for "one more" boat led him to South Carolina near the Atlantic. 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. His travels on the Mississippi River, Pickwick Lake, intracoastal waterway and throughout the Bahamas made him want to travel the world, but his work ethic never allowed the time away.
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 was honored to serve 18 years as a Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Longleaf Partners Funds.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent either to the Ruthann Ray & Rex Deloach Endowment to fund scholarships at the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Ave, Oxford, MS 38665 or to the First Presbyterian Church, 1201 North Street, Beaufort, SC 29909. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Rex, please visit our Tree Store.