Manti, Utah – Our precious son, brother, grandson and great-grandson, Rexton Jay Hales, age 6, passed away June 24, 2024, in Salt Lake City. He was born June 18, 2018, in Richfield, a son of Brandon Jay and Kylee Claudette Richens Hales.
Rexton spent most of his life battling a rare auto immune disease called Langerhan’s Cell Hystiocytosis that affected his lungs, skin, bones and liver. This didn’t slow him down. He was happy, vivacious, brave, strong and giggled his way through life. Rexton was a miracle boy. Any memory shared with him was special because of his ability to endure through his challenges and stay happy. Nothing stole his uniqueness to be happy and stay strong.
He constantly defied the odds against him. Many doctors and specialist didn’t give Rexton much chance to even live after his extended stay in Primary Children’s Medical center when he was one. He was a pioneer in the treatment of Multi-System LCH and showed everyone that he could thrive. Even until the very end, Rexton was doing things we never thought he would, like drinking juice from a cup. Rexton knew what he wanted and he wasn’t afraid to be insistent.
Although caring for Rexton was challenging at times, he always knew how to show us how much he loved us. Spending time with him was the best time.
Despite Rexton’s disabilities and challenges, he desired to be a boy and play his heart out! He did just that! He loved playing on his iPad, lining up toy cars, playing in the water, playing on playgrounds, tackling his sister on the trampoline, wrestling with his Mom, Dad, and sister, climbing trees, drinking bath water when he wasn’t suppose to, holding your hand to take you to where he wanted to go, and pushing people down the slide.
He loved going to Mission Beach in San Diego, going to the aquarium, to Splash Summit Water Park and Palisades Reservoir.
He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he attended Nursery and Primary.
Rexton loved life, even when at times, it was exceptionally painful for him. Rexton’s last few months of life were extremely painful and hard. He fought to the very end with so much strength, endurance and humility. He is the perfect example of a warrior!!! He fought valiantly on this earth with the challenges that beset him. Words cannot express the imprint he left in this world! He has changed the lives of many, is a pioneer for others in the disease he has fought his entire life and showed us all how to be happy despite our challenges. He died with honor fighting to the very end. Now, he is wrapped in the loving arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is without pain and free of disability. Rexton, you were greatly loved and now you will be greatly missed. We love you Rexton.
Rexton is survived by his parents, Brandon and Kylee Hales, and his little sister, Zina Hales, all of Manti; his grandparents: Bill Hales of Aurora; Russell and JoEtta Hill of Kaysville; Kathryn and Benjamin Anderson of Redmond; Floyde D. Richens of Salt Lake City; great-grandparents: Karen Hales of Aurora; and Linda Gale of Redmond.
He is preceded in death by great-grandparents: Bobby O. Hales, Sally and Lamar Sedgwick, Frank Gale, Claudia Ann Kemp, and Floyde H. Richens.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 12 Noon in the Manti LDS Stake Center, 555 East Union Street in Manti, where friends may call for viewing Monday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services.
Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Rexton’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.
Burial will be in the Manti City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.
