Veryl "Rex" Hickox

Veryl “Rex” Hickox, 92, of Bentonville, Arkansas met his Savior on December 7, 2024 at Circle of Life Hospice. Rex was born on December 5, 1932 in Ottawa, KS to William and Ester (Anderson) Hickox. During his formative years, the Hickox family lived in Ottawa, Pittsburg, Lawrence and Oskaloosa, Kansas, followed by Mountain Home, Arkansas and West Plains, Missouri. Most of Rex’s adult life was spent in Bentonville, Arkansas. Rex and Martha have been members of the Bentonville community since 1966 and members of the First Presbyterian Church for 58 years where Rex served as Elder, Clerk of the Session, chaired the Building Committee and sang in the choir for 22 years.

Rex graduated from West Plains High School in 1950 and was a proud Zizzer. He was a member of the National Honor Society, played snare drum in the band, was a member of the Drama Club and lettered in both football and track. He joined the United States Army two weeks after graduation on June 2, 1950. Rex proudly served our Country in the Korean War and served as a Tank Commander and Sergeant First Class, earning two Campaign Stars. He loved to share with others his experience of climbing Mt. Fuji while serving in Japan. He was also very proud of the fact that he came from a military family; his brothers served in the Army and the Navy, and his Dad received a Purple Heart in World War 1.

After being Honorably Discharged from the Army, Rex attended Gradwohl Lab Tech School in St. Louis. It was in St. Louis, at the Veiled Prophet Parade on July 4, 1954, that he met his future bride, Martha Ann Ramsey. They both worked at Barnes Hospital. On September 30, 1955, Rex graduated from Gradwohl in the afternoon and Rex and Martha were married that evening at the Richmond Heights Presbyterian Church. The very next day, they moved to Olney, Illinois where they both had jobs waiting. Their next stop was Cody, Wyoming. Rex and Martha both worked at the hospital and it was there that Rex was encouraged to continue his education. He applied to St. Louis College of Pharmacy and was accepted. Rex graduated in 1961 with a B.S. in Pharmacy. He was President of his Senior Class and also won the Bristol Award.

Pharmacy jobs led them to move to Decatur, Illinois, followed by Ava and Springfield, Missouri. It was during this time that Dawn and Scott were added to their family. In 1966, Rex had the opportunity to partner with two others and open Rose Drug on the Square in Bentonville. While starting a new business, Rex also filmed all the Bentonville Tiger football games (home and away), traveling with the team for 4 years. Rex was President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1972, Little League President in 1975, served on the Parks and Recreation Commission for four years, (two as Chairman) and he held many positions at the Bentonville Masonic Lodge #56. He then opened his own store, Rex Drug, at 201 South Main in Bentonville. He would open the store anytime, day or night, to fill a prescription for someone in need. He partnered with Bentonville High School’s DECA program and employed hundreds of teenagers over the years. He affectionately called these kids his “Delberts” and loved them all! Rex sold Rex Drug to Harps Food Stores in 1999.

Rex was a published author, writing two books, “Time, Friend or Foe?” and “All You Wanted to Know About 18th Century Royal Navy”, both are still available on Amazon. In retirement, Rex volunteered at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville and the Veterans Wall of Honor in Bella Vista. Rex and Martha were fortunate to travel extensively and loved their time spent with dear family and friends. Rex stood on four continents and was in 46 states in his 92 years.

Words from Rex in 2014~

“I have been blessed to have had hard-working, loving parents who encouraged me to do my own thing, remembering that your word is your bond. I have been truly blessed with a strong, understanding, devoted wife, two almost perfect kids who have given us 6 beautiful grandkids. I have been blessed to have been given many opportunities. I thank God every day for the many blessings showered on me and I pray that I will be around for a little longer because I want to do a lot more things!” ~Rex

Rex is survived by his wife of 69 years, Martha Ann Ramsey Hickox, his daughter Dawn (Von) Eshnaur, his son Rex “Scott” (Amy) Hickox, his grandchildren Benjamin (Chloe) Eshnaur, Christopher Eshnaur, Allison (Mark) Wopata, Nicholas (Chelsea) Eshnaur, Connor Hickox and Cooper Hickox, as well as a great granddaughter June Eshnaur. He is also survived by his brother Gary (Betty Jean) Hickox of West Plains, MO and his honorary brother Charlie Hixon of Baldwin City, KS, along with many beloved nieces and nephews and a host of lifelong family friends.

Rex has been cremated and his Celebration of Life will be held on December 28 at 1:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 901 N.E. J Street, Bentonville, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to First Presbyterian Church Bentonville, the Veterans Wall of Honor in Bella Vista (vetwallofhonor.org) or the Gideons International (gideons.org)

His interment will be at the Columbarium at First Presbyterian Church, Bentonville.