Joe Cox

Joe Cox was born on Saturday, September 4, 1926, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the son of Richard L. and Mary E. (Williams) Cox. Joe lived in the Lee's Summit, Missouri and Kansas City areas before moving to Ottawa in 1985. Earlier this year, Joe moved to Pittsburg, Kansas, where he made his home until his death on Sunday, June 3, 2007, at the age of eighty years. For forty years, Joe worked in residential and commercial construction, working mostly with concrete flatwork. He was maintenance supervisor for Chapel Woods Golf Course, Lee's Summit, Missouri for thirteen years, retiring in 1985. Joe served in the United States Navy as a Chief Petty Officer from 1943 to 1950 in the Pacific Theater on several different ships. He was a twenty-five year member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901 and former member of Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie Lodge #2700, both of Ottawa. Joe was an outdoorsman and loved traveling, fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed playing cards with his family and friends and looked forward to all their family gatherings. On August 7, 1948, Joe was united in marriage with Lenetta Cooley in Kansas City, Missouri. They were later divorced. On December 20, 1975, Joe was united in marriage with Dorothy Johnson in Miami, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death January 4, 1994. In 1998, Joe was united in marriage with Audrey Jones in Miami, Oklahoma. She survives of their home. He is also survived by his son, Al Cox and his wife, Violet, of Kansas City, MO; three daughters, Patty Ridenour and Ellen Rakestraw, both of Pittsburg, KS, Janice Hackley and her husband, Scott, of Odessa, MO; two stepsons, James Johnson of Baldwin, KS, Virgil Johnson and his wife, Donna, of Pittsburg, KS; four stepdaughters, Clara Brunner and her husband, Roger, of Cedar Rapids, IA; Virginia Slaughter of Independence, KS, Theresa Jasso and her husband, Richard, of Pittsburg, KS, Rhonda Rogers, of Pittsburg, KS; sister, Shirley McKay of Ottawa, KS; three brothers, Arthur Cox and his wife, Barbara, of Garden City, MO, Bob Cox of Buffalo, MO, Larry Cox and his wife, Maureen, of Garden City, MO; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mr. Cox is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Mosie, Bill and Fred Cox; and three sisters, Mary Leach, Viola Coffman, and Nadine Blankenship. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 10:00 A.M. Thursday, June 7, 2007. IN STATE: Mr. Cox will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 10:00 A.M. Wednesday to the service hour where the family will meet with friends 7 - 8 P.M. Wednesday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to the Joe Cox Memorial Fund to help defray funeral expenses c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.