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.