Rex Wendell Duryea

Rex Wendell Duryea, age 90, of El Dorado, Kansas went to meet his Maker on October 17, 2025. Rex was ready to go to his new home in heaven saying that he had lived a good life with no regrets.

Rex came into this world on January 25, 1935. Born to Harley and Inez (Swearingen) Duryea in Independence, Kansas. He grew up on the farm in Longton, Kansas and graduated from high school in 1952. After graduating, Rex enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of seventeen and served from 1952 to 1955. He proudly served his country and was honored to be a veteran.

He married Bonita Cinotto in Independence, Kansas on June 15, 1958. It was a double wedding ceremony with his brother Jim and his bride LaVona. Rex and Bonnie moved to El Dorado in 1960 so he could take a job with Skelly Refinery. This was the beginning of a 35-year career at the El Dorado Refinery. Through several changes of ownership, Rex remained a hard working and dedicated employee earning the respect of his coworkers for his willingness to do whatever it took to get the job done. After he retired, he continued working for another 12 years as a contractor during turnarounds.

They say you can take the boy off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the boy. That was true for Rex. He had a lifelong passion for gardening beginning every growing season by making sure he had the potatoes planted on St. Patrick's Day. He was still harvesting vegetables from this year's garden days before he passed. In his retirement years he was able to get back on a tractor driving visitors around at Walter's Pumpkin Patch.

Rex enjoyed being outdoors whether he was tending the garden and yard or just sitting on the back porch or patio with a tall glass of water. Fishing was another favorite outdoor activity. He shared this hobby with his sons. In later years he had many good times fishing with friends off a dock on Lake Taneycomo in Branson, Missouri.

Traveling was a big part of Rex and Bonnie's life. From taking summer vacations when the kids were little to going on bus trips all around the county. If they were not on the road somewhere, more often than not they would be watching or attending a sporting event. Whether it was their kids and grandkids games, college games, or at the professional level.

Rex was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in El Dorado. He gave freely of his time and was a faithful folder of the monthly newsletter for many years. He seldom missed an opportunity to help others and never expected anything in return.

Above all else, Rex loved and valued his family. He and Bonnie were blessed with three children. He worked hard to provide for them and give them a good start in life. Once the grandchildren started coming, Rex took on the role of baby holder, always ready for any opportunity to hold them. This continued with his great grandchildren too. Our lives have been enriched by his steadiness, honesty, wisdom, and quiet, quick wit that often caught you off guard. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 67 years, Bonnie Duryea of El Dorado, sons Scott (Jennifer) Duryea and Aaron (Mandy) Duryea all of El Dorado, daughter Denae (Wade) Mayfield of Omaha, Nebraska, 6 grandchildren and their spouses, 5 great grandchildren, and his sister Jeanette Spilman of Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother Wayne, brothers Duane and Jim, and his sister Barbara.