There are not many people alive, who I know personally, that I could call a legend. During our visit today I want to tell you about one of them.
His name is Rex Nelson, originally from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, who is having a career that would be the envy of hundreds of people. He spoke to our Kiwanis Club recently, and here are the comments made by another Kiwanian, Don Potter, who always puts the speaker’s photo and a little information about him or her on Facebook each week. Here is what he said about Rex: “Rex Nelson: long-time college sports broadcaster, columnist, reporter, author, political appointee, chronicler of Arkansas history, senior editor and columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, which is our state’s only statewide newspaper.”
Now, I believe you will agree that is a pretty good bio, and I am proud to call him a friend. Here are some insights into the life of a man who has spent most of his days in public service or in helping other people. One of the things that saddens me the most is the demise of our nation’s newspapers. Every community of any size in America needs a good newspaper, as this is the only way to be current and get good “local” news. In his position, Rex travels the state and gives us insights as to what is going on that we can’t get any other way. He also does a lot of public speaking. The day he spoke to us, for instance, he was driving on to Jonesboro to be the keynote speaker for a big gathering of people with Riceland Foods.
Here is Rex’s expanded bio, and if you will read between the lines, you will see why I call him a Living Legend.
Rex Nelson is senior editor and a columnist at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Rex’s return to full-time journalism in June 2017 completed a life’s cycle begun in the mid-1970s when he hosted a local radio show while he was a student at Arkadelphia High School. While Rex attended Ouachita Baptist University, he served as sports editor at the Arkadelphia-based Daily Siftings Herald, and as the sports director for two local radio stations. He also became the play-by-play announcer for the OBU football and men’s basketball teams.
In 2021 he began his 38th season as announcer for the OBU football radio network. After graduating with a degree in mass communications from OBU in December 1981, Rex worked as a sportswriter at the then-Arkansas Democrat for a year before returning to Arkadelphia to become editor of the Siftings Herald. Rex would return to the Democrat in various capacities, including political editor.
Between stints at the newspaper, his other interests and skills pulled him away to a career in politics and public service, including serving as director of policy and communications for Gov. Mike Huckabee. In 2005, he was an appointee for President George W. Bush to the Delta Regional Authority, the mission of which is to improve the quality of life for residents of states along the lower Mississippi River. In 2011, as president of Arkansas’ Independent Colleges and Universities, he provided governmental and public affairs support for 11 member institutions, including Central Baptist College and Hendrix College in my hometown. In 2015, he served as director of corporate community relations for Simmons National Bank.
Rex and his wife Melissa recently celebrated their 32nd anniversary. They have two sons, Austin and Evan. He is also a fine man.
—
(For a personally signed copy of my new book ‘Your Future Begins Today’ send $20 — includes postage & handling — to Jim Davidson, 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034.)