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William Larry Cox

August 1, 1948 –
 December 24, 2022

Obituary

William Larry Cox, 74 years, 4 months, 24 days passed away on 12/24/22 after a tragic fall.

William “Larry” Cox was born August 1, 1948, in Dallas, Texas and was raised in Dallas. Shortly after he was born, he won the prize of best-looking baby at the State Fair of Texas. Larry was a believer in Christ and grew up attending a Baptist Church, and throughout his life, he prayed daily and often watched his favorite evangelists on television. Larry served in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and he was a strong swimmer and diver but was too shy to join his high school’s swim team. He graduated from Bryan Adams High School in 1966 and worked for Beardon Furniture company.

As the son of a Marine, Larry felt the call to follow in his father’s footsteps by enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1968. Lance Corporal Cox spent 2 years active duty in the Marine Corps plus 4 years Inactive Ready Reserve for the Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam from October 1968 to December 1969.

During his time in Vietnam, he heroically fought on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and ran 23 search and destroy missions. He and his unit, the 3rd Marine Division, provided armed escort for supply convoys as they made their way along the DMZ. He never forgot about his fellow Marines in Vietnam and thought about them daily until the day he passed. He lived by the motto ‘Once a Marine, Always a Marine’.

After his honorable discharge from the Marines, he turned down an offer from the Secret Service and became the house detective for the Fairmont Hotel in Downtown Dallas. He started working in telecommunications as a highly acclaimed power installer for Automatic Electric where he was known as the top installer for Texas. He also contracted with GTE, Nortel, and Fujitsu. His work ethic and reputation as a power installer took him to Washington State, California, Nevada, Oregon, Maryland, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

While working in Guymon, Oklahoma in 1972, Larry met Susan Hitt, the love of his life, and within two months they began their marriage that lasted 50 years (a fact he was very proud of). They spent several years on the road traveling for his work and growing their family with their children Christina and William Brian coming along. After Christina became school-aged, Larry settled his family in Irving, Texas, while he continued traveling for work. He wanted his family to have as normal a life as possible. Eventually, he fulfilled his dream of living on Lake Vilbig, which became home for the next 43 years.

Larry was proud of being a lifetime member of the VFW for over 50 years having joined the VFW when he was still overseas in Okinawa on active duty. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Marine Corps League. He was a founding member of the Leatherneck Club of North Texas. Anytime he was traveling he sought out one of these clubs to have a drink and meet new Marines and veterans so that he could feel more at home while on the road.

Larry retired in 2010. Throughout retirement he spent a lot of time with friends and fellow vets at Irving’s and Grapevine’s VFW posts, and he frequented the American Legion at Bachman Lake. Larry felt a calling to help Marines and veterans through works of charity and volunteerism. Via the Marine Corp League, he designed and sold shirts with various creative Marine slogans, and he raffled off guns with proceeds going to Wounded Warriors and The Fisher House. On his own, every Memorial Day he visited the National Cemetery where he placed flags on Marines’ graves and gave each one a slow salute. He volunteered at the State Fair of Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial many years to educate people about the Vietnam War and help families find their loved ones listed on the wall. Sensing his time was short, this last Marine Corps Birthday/Veteran’s Day he provided the entire Irving VFW post a BBQ dinner to celebrate them.

Those who knew Larry will remember him as larger than life, a protector, and one tough Marine. He once saved his nephew from drowning, and he protected his neighborhood from thieves. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, shooting, and sharpening knives. He stayed in Marine shape by doing 100 push-ups almost daily until he was nearly 72. He had two non-traditional service dogs that assisted him with PTSD. He dearly loved “Marinea Corpsa,” a German Doberman and “Sugar Beast,” a red-nosed pit bull (she passed in 2021).

Larry is preceded in death by his parents Letha and William Ragsdale Cox, and his sister Jan Cox McDonald. He is survived by his wife Susan Cox, his daughter Christina Cox Bryan and son William “Brian” Cox, sisters Marta Cox and Yvonne Cox Janik, many nieces and nephews, son-in-law Chris Bryan, and brother-in-law Kurt Janik.

In lieu of flowers, our family requests you consider honoring his memory by sending donations to Wounded Warriors and/or Fisher House. Please visit Irving’s Veteran’s Memorial Park where Larry’s picture and story is featured. https://www.cityofirving.org/2846/Veterans-Memorial-Park Larry’s Marine Corps Funeral Honors will take place at the DFW National Cemetery at 2pm, Friday, February 3rd, 2023, to honor his life and his service to his country as a Marine. A Memorial Service will follow at 6:30pm at Irving’s VFW Post 2494.

https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org

https://fisherhouse.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/

    Iris Dillon
    28 Dec 2022
    12:12am

    We are so shocked to hear of Larry’s passing. He lived fishing And always had good stories to tell and had a great laugh! Our condolences to Sue and the family! Prayers 🙏🙏🙏🙏
    Love, Steve & Iris Dillon

    Mildred Holland
    28 Dec 2022
    11:07pm

    Sue, you are in my prayers. I loss my husband Clif a Life Member of the post ad well and buried him Nov 4. I know your pain. If there is anything you call the post we will help you. I’m still grieving with my loss it will take time but you will never get over it. You just have stay busy. Know I’m here if you need to talk. Larry was a wonderful person and him and Clif are talking about the next plan. Hang in there. I can’t say enough of Larry he was special to all of us at the post. Take care of yourself. You are in my prayers along with the rest of the family.

    Debbie Brown
    29 Dec 2022
    12:00pm

    Our deepest sympathy.
    Love, Debbie and Chris Brown

    Kathleen Y. Sargent
    29 Dec 2022
    12:52pm

    Wishing comfort and peace to family and friends. In sympathy, Kathleen Y. Sargent

    John Mayer
    29 Dec 2022
    1:03pm

    Condolences from our family to yours.

    Tracy Bearden
    29 Dec 2022
    1:03pm

    Christina and Susan,
    I am so sorry for the loss of your father and husband.
    What a wonderful obituary. His life must have been remarkable and amazing – a man of so many experiences, achievements and a friend to so many.
    You are in my thoughts and prayers,

    Chad Powell
    29 Dec 2022
    1:20pm

    Christina, I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.

    I know how close you were to your father and how much he meant to you. Losing a loved one is never easy, and my thoughts are with you and your family as you grieve and remember him.

    If there is anything I can do to support you and your family during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here for you.

    Bonnie Raddatz
    29 Dec 2022
    1:34pm

    Sue, Christina, and Brian.
    May you be comforted in the days to come knowing that your husband / father is at peace with the Lord. His obituary was testament to what a full and giving life he lived.
    God’s Blessings.

    Karen Wong
    29 Dec 2022
    1:41pm

    Susan and Christina,
    My heartfelt sympathies are with you and your family. What a stirring tribute to Larry! I am so grateful for his service to our country and admire his devotion to his fellow veterans. He has left quite a legacy in both his family and his service to others. I pray you will find comfort knowing he is free of earthly struggles and rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Kristina Kimberly Wolfe
    29 Dec 2022
    3:51pm

    We are so sorry for your loss.

    Fred Cizek
    29 Dec 2022
    5:17pm

    Peace be with the Cox Family.

    carolyn M Falk
    29 Dec 2022
    10:56pm

    Susan and family my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of your loss of your husband and father, Larry Cox.

    Valda &Russell New
    30 Dec 2022
    9:27am

    We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept our sincere condolences.

    Mary Archer
    30 Dec 2022
    6:38pm

    Susan, Christina, and family. I’m so sorry for your loss.
    Such a moving tribute to a truly remarkable man.

    Vicki Bicknase
    31 Dec 2022
    2:09pm

    Hi Sue,
    I was so shocked when Patty told me about your husband. I am so sorry for you and your family. My prayers are with you. You and Pat have to come and see me.
    Love,
    Vicki

    Sara Kokojan
    2 Jan 2023
    9:02pm

    Susan and Christina,
    I’m so sorry for your loss. My prayer is for comfort and strength for you both to get through this and to find a sweet peace. Please let me know if I can be of any help. Sincerely —Sara

    Nancy/Jim Starnes
    3 Jan 2023
    10:45am

    Sending blessings to lift the Cox family up during this time. As Christians you can all look forward to be reunited again in God’s Family Tree. So sorry for your loss.

    Judy Gafford
    3 Jan 2023
    12:02pm

    My dear friend and family,
    I am so very sorry to learn of Larry’s passing. Praying for you all to feel God’s comfort and peace.

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