Obituary For Roger R. Cox

ROGER R. COX

Surrounded by family and his loving wife of 66 years, Roger Ray Cox, died peacefully at home on January 29, 2008 at the age of 89.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., February 4, 2008 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5711 SW 9th St. with burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens on Fleur Dr.

Roger was born in Utica, MO on November 3, 1918 to Ira and Bessie Cox. He worked on the family farm and attended school in rural Missouri. He moved to St. Louis after high school where he worked and met the love of his life, Martha Butler. They were married and Roger joined the Army Air Force to defend his country during WWII serving in England. After the war, he moved his family to Des Moines and joined Cox Neon Signs with his brother, Ray. Roger was a neon glass blower and his work can be seen throughout the city. The bowler in action atop Plaza Lanes on Douglas Ave. is his work. Roger loved to work and held part-time jobs at Veterans Memorial Auditorium and the Iowa State Fair for more than 30 years. He ushered at the horse show, worked fair grounds security, was a monitor at the Youth Inn, and worked other events held at the fairgrounds including the Pork Producers Event and the Good Guys Car Show. After retiring from the sign business, Roger continued at the state fairgrounds and also worked as an usher and security at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Hy-Vee Hall, Wells Fargo Arena and the Warren County Fair.

Roger was a loving father and grandfather and was very proud of his family. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society, and the American Legion. He was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish and camp and was an avid gardener.

Roger is survived by his wife, Martha of Des Moines, sons: Roger (Kay) of Holmes Beach, FL, and Steven (Lynn) of Clear Lake, IA; and daughters: Carol (Butch) Dennis of Norwalk, Bette Jo Cox of Des Moines, and Jacki (Pat) Fultz of Grimes; twelve grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughters Martha Davidson of Des Moines and Susan Tamasi of Overland Park, KS, brothers Stanley of Kansas City, MO and Raymond of Deer River, MN, sisters Eva Earl of Chillicothe, MO, Helen McMullen of Topeka, KS, and Marjorie Milstead of Daytona Beach, FL.

The family will greet friends at Sunset Funeral Chapel, 7601 Fleur Drive, on Sunday, February 3, 2008 from 2 to 5 p.m. with a prayer service at 4:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church.

His Battle With Cancer Is Over

My Dad's battle with cancer is over!

Tuesday evening at 8:45 PM with his family gathered around him my Dad, Roger Cox died.

He put forth a valiant effort and waged a fierce battle for 10 months against pancreatic cancer. Never letting the cancer ravage his spirit as it did his body. Up until the Monday, just before he died, he was joking around with family members and being the comic that we all knew him to be.

Life will be different now with him gone.

A time like this is when our theology is tried, tested and found to be true. This is where theology runs headlong in to real life and as you workout your theology to its logical end you see if it really is strong in the face of trial and tragedy.

I am so thankful for my relationship with Christ and to know that our God is perfectly Holy, Just, Loving and Merciful.

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

Back In The Office and VERY Busy

I just realized that it has been a while since I have blogged anything. In reflecting on this I came to the conclusion that I have had quite a bit on my plate.

I was out of the office for just about a month with the broken ankle and getting back on top of everything has been an adventure. There was our Church's annual business meeting, followed by a Council of 10 meeting in Ankeny.

Philip and Susan have kept us very busy with their basketball games as well.

On a personal note there have been some not so favorable turns in the health of my folks. Tough times for my entire family and lots of trips to Des Moines. Would really covet your prayer at this time. You pray ... God knows the details!

I'll keep you updated when I'm able.....

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

Again In The Doctor's Office

Back to the surgeon's office for my 2nd post op visit.

My hope was that I would be able to shed the "walking boot" and get back to wearing my regular shoes. Well, I got most of what I wanted. I'm now using a "walking stirrup". I'm able to wear my regular socks but the only shoes that I have that will fit over the stirrup is my athletic low tops. I told Lynn that there was no way I was getting all this packed into my wing-tips! So I'm still wearing very casual shoes with my dress clothes, but I'm preaching without needing to sit!

I'm in the walking stirrup for another 6 weeks and then one more set of x-ray's and another look see by the Doctor. The good news is that I'm felling better and getting around much better! For that I'm very thankful!

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

Feels Like A Sprain Now

Wow it's been a while!

Christmas has come and gone as well as New Years Eve and New Years Day.

Things have been very crazy around here these past few weeks. After we returned home from our Christmas trip to Des Moines to see family, I chucked my walker and have been just walking around in my walking boot. As of the last few days I have been walking around our bedroom without the boot on at all. My foot is feeling like I've got a really bad sprain and I feel like I just want to walk to stretch out the kinks.

Wednesday of this next week I get to go back to see my surgeon. Hopefully, I'll get to be rid of the walking cast and be back to my street shoes! We shall see what we shall see.

On another note ... my Dad is not doing so well. Please pray for his needs, God knows all!

I'll Be Back!

Pastor Steve