Larry C. Cox

Larry Cornelious Cox passed away peacefully in his home on September 25, 2024 at the age of 82. 

 Larry was born to Wanda Fincher Cox and Marshall Cox on December 7, 1941 in Girard, Texas. Larry grew up in Jayton, Texas where he was active in 4-H, Boy Scouts, UIL, football, basketball, and track and field. He began his tenure at Tarleton State College in 1960, where he pole vaulted on the Tarleton Track team. After two years, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as a military policeman. He returned to Tarleton State College in pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, and worked on a commercial pilot's rating on the weekends. During his junior year, he met Janet Parrish. They married December 31, 1966. After receiving his degree in 1968, they moved to Grand Prairie and he began working as a cost analyst for LTV Aerospace Company. They welcomed their daughter, Judith Cox on October 24, 1969. After receiving his pilot's rating in 1970, Larry, Janet, Judith, Mr. and Mrs. Parrish moved to Cranfills Gap, to the Parrish family farm. They lived in the farm house while the "big house" was being built and then they renovated the farm house which would become Larry and Janet's home for 33 years. Larry went to work at the Mountain View State School for Boys as a youth supervisor in Gatesville, TX for a short time and then worked as a manager of Gap Insurance Agency which he and Janet eventually bought. They welcomed their son, Jason Lee Cox on October 12, 1974. That same year, Jeff Rose, Janet and Larry's nephew came to live with them. He was a freshman in high school. Larry was a father figure to Jeff because he had lost his dad when he was 10 years old due to a car accident. As a father, Larry instilled a love for Christ, a servant's heart, and a strong work ethic in Jeff, Judith and Jason.

 After becoming an active member of the Cranfills Gap community, including becoming a deacon and a Sunday School teacher at the First Baptist Church, Cranfills Gap, he returned to Tarleton, once again, to obtain his teaching certification in Social Science. In 1978 he began coaching football, basketball, track and field and teaching. He drove a school bus as well. Over the years he taught various subjects, including Texas history, government, economics, business classes and aviation. All together he was in the business of educating children for 40 years all at Cranfills Gap ISD. One of his favorite traditions was carrying the kids to Austin for a field trip to the Texas State Capitol, the Governor's Mansion, the General Land Office, and the Bob Bullock Texas State Museum. He was particularly proud of his high school aviation preparatory course. Some of his students went on to obtain their pilots licenses, which made him so proud. Larry's sponsorship of the Adopt-A-Highway program likely deterred many students from "being a bunch of jerks" as he often affectionately called them. They would fill the back of the school bus with bags of trash collected from all four highways leading into the Gap. 

Larry was a man of many interests. He enjoyed riding horses, ranching, cutting cedar, flying airplanes for pleasure, team roping, singing, playing music with his band named the Gapians, teaching guitar lessons to a few students over the years, playing his guitar and singing at various nursing homes in the area and teaching Sunday School and leading worship to the residents at Meridian Manor. He loved watching his kids and grandkids grow up, ride horses, team rope and play sports. One of his proudest moments was coaching his basketball team, that included Jason, to be the District Champions in 1990. It was the first time for the Cranfills Gap boy's team in 55+ years. 

Larry was a patriotic American. He was very proud of his service in the United States Army as an MP. He was a Lifetime member of the VFW, a member of the American Legion, an Eagle Scout and a Mason. He and his students led the annual Veterans Day Program at the Cranfills Gap High School for many years. His love and respect for his country was very evident. 

Larry Cox had a strong love of life. He accomplished many things in his 82 1/2 years and he touched many lives. His love of Jesus Christ was shown in his love for people. He always made time for people. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at a young age and is now at home with Him, as well as with his beloved wife, his parents, and many other family and friends. 

He is survived by his sister, Marsanette Cox, his daughter, Judith Cox Gallegos and husband Thomas, his son, Jason Lee Cox and wife Casandra, his grandchildren Jasi Gallegos Prachyl and husband Bryson, Cason Cox, and Jake Cox, Nephew Jeff Rose and wife Laura, Great Nieces Katie Rose Glenn and husband Darrin, Janie Rose, and Great-great Nephew Heath Glenn, Great-great nieces Halle Glenn, Zoey Glenn, and Harper Rose.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Wanda Cox and his beloved wife, Janet Parrish Cox. 

Larry's celebration of life will be Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Cranfills Gap ISD Cafetorium at 10:00 a.m. It will be officiated by Pastor Stephen V. Allen and Pastor Kyle Roach.

Pallbearers: Jasi Gallegos Prachyl, Bryson Prachyl, Cason Cox, Jake Cox, Darrin Glenn, and Heath Glenn

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to Cranfills Gap ISD, or the Veterans of Foreign Wars, or First Baptist Church, Cranfills Gap.