Rex Damon Cully
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Rex Damon Cully
April 21, 1962 – April 9, 2025
Funeral services for Rex Damon Cully, 62, of Lawrence, Kansas, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 14, 2025, at Botone Memorial Church in Carnegie, Oklahoma. A wake service will be held the evening before on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM, also at Botone Memorial Church. Pastor David Geimausaddle will officiate.
Rex was born on April 21, 1962, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He passed away on April 9, 2025, in Tonganoxie, Kansas. He was an enrolled member of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma and was also of Comanche, Seminole, and Creek descent. He was given his Apache name, Iron Shirt, by the late Alfred Chalepah Sr.
On January 26, 1986, Rex married Jami (Tainpeah) Cully at Botone Memorial Church. The ceremony was officiated by the late Rev. Hazel Botone. Together, they had two children: Marci and Chybon.
Rex retired in 2024 from Haskell Indian Nations University, where he worked as a recreation assistant in the Student Activities Department. He dedicated over 30 years of service to the federal government. Raised primarily in Carnegie, Oklahoma, Rex graduated from Riverside Indian School in 1980, attended Cameron University, and later transferred to Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas, where he earned his associate’s degree.
Rex began his career at Haskell in 1991, starting as a mail clerk before moving to the Recreation Department. He was the visionary behind Haskell Highlight Night, now a mainstay event that welcomes students each semester. He also played a key role in organizing the Welcome Back Powwows, working alongside Manny King and other committed staff to create a meaningful, welcoming environment for students. Rex’s passion was creating events that helped ease homesickness and reduce the stress of college life. His time at Haskell was filled with meaningful connections and joyful memories.
Rex was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jami Lynn (Tainpeah) Cully; his children, Marci DeShayna Cully and Chybon Daimon Cully; his parents, Burgess Lee Tapedo and Millicent (Maynahonah) Tapedo; biological father, Joseph Cully; and his brothers, Lance Howard Cully and Drake Carter Cully.
He is survived by his sisters Freda (Tapedo) Gipp and Darryl (Tapedo) Monteau, both of Lawrence, KS; brothers Brady Tapedo and Dean Tapedo, also of Kansas; and Michael Lewis of Anchorage, AK. He is also survived by his uncle Louis Maynahonah, Sr., and his adopted son, Jamie Wilson.
Pallbearers: Steve Quoetone, Nick Reyes, Randy Toyekoyah, Eric Bailey, Myron Kaulaity, Sidney Toppah, JimBob Koomsa, Albert Gipp, Maurice Monteau.
Honorary Pallbearers: Frederick Gipp, Jude Oliver Harris, Milo Scotten, Bodhi Scotten, Kert Cully, Kuthohe Tapedo, Dream Tapedo, Louis Maynahonah Jr., Jamie Wilson, Troy Johanntoberns, Forbes Perkins, Joe Bointy, Sonny Blackbear, Manny King.
In Rex’s memory, the family is establishing a special fund to support Haskell students. For more information, please contact Darryl Monteau at tomonteau@gmail.com.
Our family is very grateful to have been a part of Rex (and family’s) life. We met him at Haskell. We’ve shared stories with our kids (Haskell Rascals) about the good ol’ days at Haskell and would always visit Rex when we were in town. He was a good hearted person and cared about the students. Sincere condolences and continued prayers. 💗🙏
#RestWell🫶#HIJC-ClassOf1992&1993💛💜
Sending our condolences to the Tapedo Cully family. I worked w Rex at Haskell and he was always willing to help the students in any way possible. He also helped our Lawrence Indian church w clothing and food donations when he could. He had a HUGE heart and will be missed by many students, staff and all his friends. Rest easy Rex. Mv’to!
Descansa en Paz Hermano.
Our family will forever be grateful for the support Rex provided me when I attended Haskell. He also helped with the student council and student clubs. He was also always available for a good conversation, had an open-door policy, and was a great friend. Rex was and is a good man. I am sorry he has moved on to the spirit world and I hope he finds peace reuniting with his family.