Carl E. Cox

Carl Edward Cox of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed away Friday, February 9, 2024, at the age of 84 years, 11 months, and 9 days with his family at his bedside. He was born on March 11, 1939 in Vann, Oklahoma to Carrol and Jeana Belle Cox. He attended schools in Van Buren, Arkansas, Warner, Oklahoma, Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, and graduated from Muskogee Central High School in 1958. Carl spent his adult life working in sales, starting with Anderson Wholesale Company in Muskogee. He later worked with Griffin Grocery in Van Buren, Arkansas, until the company was sold to Affiliated Foods in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1990, he began to work for Pumps and Controls, owned by his son-in-law, Kevin Stills, finishing his career in sales, when he retired in December, 2005. In June 1961, he married his first wife, Gwendolyn Kelley in Muskogee. They were married for over 41 years. Together, they raised three daughters, and were blessed with seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Preceding Carl in death were his first wife, Gwen; his parents; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. In November 2002, he married his second wife, Tracye White of Enid, Oklahoma, and they were married for over 21 years. In 2009, Carl and Tracye purchased a peacock blue and white 1956 Ford Fairlane Victoria. They joined the Crown Victoria Association Car Club for owners of 1954, 1955, and 1956 Fords. They drove the car around Muskogee and eastern Oklahoma, entering it in car shows and winning many trophies and plaques, as well as attending regional meetings in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas where they made many new friends, some becoming very close. They also drove the car to Des Moines, Iowa to attend the national convention of the Crown Victoria Association. Those left behind are his second wife, Tracye Cox of the home; his daughters and their husbands, Valerie (Mike) Roberts, Rhonda (Kevin) Stills, all of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Cheryl (Charles) Osburn of Claremore, Oklahoma; stepson, Tom White of Enid, Oklahoma; step daughter, Tracie Kretzschmar of May, Texas; seven grandchildren, Kyle Roberts, Cory Roberts, Kelsey Carr, Andy Stills, Kimberly Hoover, Graycen Smith, and Brinlie Struebing; two step-grandchildren, Taylor White and Jackson White; nine great-grandchildren, Mikylah, Natalee, Chloe, Chase, Hayleigh, Joey, Kylie, Emery, Molly, and three more on the way; his sister, Joan Mayes of Owasso, Oklahoma; his brother, Jim Cox of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; one aunt and one uncle, several cousins, and a host of friends. Carl was an active member of First Baptist Church in Muskogee, Oklahoma for over 20 years. He was an OU and Dallas Cowboys football fan. He loved being with his family when they gathered for special occasions. He was a hard worker, from the time he was old enough to buy a Cushman scooter to keep it in running order, buying his first car at age 15, and then having to wait until he turned 16 to get a license to drive it. He had a paper route for many years, throwing papers to porches twice a day. Every car he bought, he learned how it ran and kept it in running order until it was time to get rid of it and buy a different vehicle. He was a true shade tree mechanic. Carl was willing to help others. He often saw a gray haired lady in the grocery parking lot trying to get her purchases into the trunk of her car, and he quickly unloaded them for her and pushed the cart back to the store. He always had a story to tell and another person could say something that would prompt him to begin telling his tale. He often said, “The first liar doesn’t have a chance!” The family would like to express a very special “Thank You” to Seasons Hospice nurses and personnel for the excellent care they gave to make Carl comfortable and supporting his family. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org. or to Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, 3800 North May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 or online at www.obhc.org. The family will receive friends from 5-7PM, Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at Cornerstone Funeral Home. Funeral services for Carl will be at 2PM, Thursday, February 15, 2024 at First Baptist Church Sanctuary with Pastor Kevin Chartney officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery with Kyle Roberts, Cory Roberts, Andy Stills, Kevin Stills, Mike Roberts, Charles Osburn, Kyson Carr, and Joey Carr serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jesse Dearman, Tony Kilgore, Bill Crow, Jim Gattis, Gus Adams, Ronnie Barter, and Tom White.

Carl E. Cox

March 11, 1939 - February 9, 2024