Ray Cox

Ray Miller Cox Ray Miller Cox was born October 12, 1924 in Stanford, Texas, and died at his home in Houston on September 20, 2012. He was predeceased by his parents, Loman and Maude Cox. He is survived by his wife, Mary Deania Cox, five daughters, one son and their spouses: Ginger and Dr. Jim Moon, Dixie and Ron Messner, Carol and Milo Burdette, Amy and Mark Watkins, Molly and Col. Michael Wright, and Michael and Stephenie Cox. He proclaimed each one to be his favorite. Ten of his other favorites were his grandchildren: Maris, Lindsay and Molly Watkins, Andrew Williamson, JW Moon, Tyler and Rachel Wright, and Gianna, Lily Katherine, and Ava Cox. He is also survived by his dear and loyal friend, Hayder Abbas. Without question, Hayder’s presence in the last years of Ray’s life was a gift that could have only come from God. Ray, Mary Deania, and their children were long-time residents of Mexia, Texas. In 1972, the family moved to Houston where Ray started a successful trucking, container and warehousing company, Southern Container Systems, on the Houston Ship Channel. He retired in 1983 and moved back to Mexia in 1998, the place he and his wife called home. There, he would tirelessly tinker with whatever junky piece of equipment that came his way and, somehow, make it work. Perhaps the project that brought him the greatest joy was an old Kawasaki Mule he repaired and rode recklessly around his farm for hours on end. Most of all, Ray made his life “work.” He was a gracious and gentle man whose enormous capacity for love drew both young and old to him his entire life. His generous spirit and gratitude for the smallest of things inspired us all. Our loss is great but our love is greater still. In honor of Ray, donations may be made to the ASPCA (www.aspca.org) or the First United Methodist Church, 203 North Canton Street, Mexia, TX 76667. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 pm on Saturday, September 22 at the Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home in Mexia (605 S. McKinney) followed by a funeral service at First United Methodist Church (203 North Canton Street) at 3:00pm. Interment will be in the Mexia Cemetery.