Former University Faculty Member, Administrator Dr. Rex H. Ball Passes Away in New Mexico

Dr. Rex H. Ball, a former key Texas A&M International University faculty member, and administrator, passed away at age 78 in New Mexico earlier this week.

Dr. Ball was a professor of History at TAMIU and had the distinction of being one of the founding faculty members at its predecessor, the Texas A&I University Center at Laredo, as well as Laredo State University and TAMIU.

His service to the University was broad, and he rose from the rank of assistant professor of History in 1970 to professor of History in 1979. He also served as coordinator of the Division of Program Development and Continuing Education from 1972-1977, administrative assistant to the President and chief development officer from 1980-1985, and vice president for Administration and University Relations from 1985-1987.

His service set in place standards that still inform key University functions, including advancement, public relations, marketing, and community engagement.

He was a stalwart champion of Laredo and a dynamic force in the former United Fund of Laredo, now the United Way of Laredo.  The children of Laredo were also important to him, and his service to the Laredo Boys & Girls Club was legendary…and included the former collegiate swimmer regularly teaching youngsters how to swim. 

Other organizations benefiting from his membership and leadership included the Kiwanis Club, the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, and United Day School.  He had a measurable affection for Laredo and kept up with Laredo happenings even when he had moved away.

He was president of the Southern Illinois Foundation from 1988-1991 and executive director for Institutional Advancement at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale from 1990-1991.

In 1991, he returned to Texas as executive director of The University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures at San Antonio until his retirement in 2004. He came home to TAMIU in 2008 as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, remaining as a senior lecturer and visiting professor of History.

Dr. Ball held a Ph.D. in the History of American Civilization from Harvard University, an MA from DePaul University, and a BA from Oklahoma University.

Fittingly, he ended his educational career by delivering a memorable Commencement Address at TAMIU’s Fall 2012 Commencement Exercises.  Thereafter, he and his beloved wife Betty retired to the mountains of New Mexico.

He is survived by Betty, and daughter Kristen.

No memorial service is planned, and the family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations to TAMIU, the Belton Bridge Center of Las Cruces or St. Jude Children’s Hospital would be much appreciated.