| Dallas O. "Bud" Cox, 74, of Spencer, died Saturday, February 1, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born October 25, 1939 in Spencer to the late Dallas O. Cox, Sr. and Helen Greathouse Cox Alheit.
Bud owned and operated small businesses serving Roane County and the surrounding areas for nearly 45 years. In 1970, he founded "D.O. Cox Jr. Excavating" which provided backhoe and other excavation services. In 1999, he and his son, Stephen, formed "Cox & Son Excavation", a family-run business that continues to this day.
He was a devoted family man and an active member of the local community. Bud attended Bethel United Methodist Church, Pleasant Grove Church and Gilboa Baptist Church. As a trustee of the Fairview Church, he volunteered his time to care for and preserve the historic church and cemetery. He also helped construct and found the Reedy Senior Citizens Center.
In retirement, he was a regular visitor to the Reedy Center where he enjoyed playing poker and dominos with his friends, new and old. Bud was a friendly and outgoing person, who seemed never to have met a stranger. He enjoyed playing cards and games, hunting, and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and many lifelong friends.
He is survived by Zelma "Ruth" Stewart Cox, his wife of 42 years; sister, Donna Sue (Webb) Cox Hickman; half-brother, Elmer Paul "Wally" Cox; his sons, Dewayne (Lisa) Cox and Stephen (Brenda) Cox; daughters-in-law, Sue Simons and Chris Cox; and his step-daughter, Joyce Miller, all of Spencer. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren, Chad Lawson of Spencer, Michelle (Mike) Spears (and great-grandchildren, Alston and Ashlyn) of Spencer, Angie Simons (and great-granddaughter, Emerson) of Spencer, Jessica (Ian) Kennedy of Dunbar, Clayton (Nikki) Cox of Spencer, Laynie Cox of Spencer, Kala (Bryce) Burgett of Fredericktown, Ohio; step-grandchildren, Greg, Scott, and Nicole Miller, Eric Barker, and Meghan Barker Freeland; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Marie "Faye" Cox; brother, Ed Cox; daughter, Regina Sue Cox Lawson; sons, Richard Dallas Cox and Bruce Edward "Eddie" Simons; a brother-in-law, James E. Stewart; and a nephew.
There will be a memorial service from 5:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at the Taylor-Vandale Funeral Home. |
