Russell Cox

Funeral services for Russell Lee Cox, 91, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 1, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Russell went home to be with his Lord Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

He was born October 26, 1923, to Herbert Ray Cox and Effie Mae Wagoner. Upon his mother’s death at a young age, Russell was raised by his step-mother, Lula. On September 22, 1942, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Nadine Smith. Mr. Cox was a Veteran, having been drafted into the United States Army on March 5, 1943 and served his country proudly until December 25, 1945. He began working for the Central Telephone Company as a brush cutter and worked his way up to general manager in West Plains; he was promoted from that position to commercial manager over the state of Missouri and held that position until his retirement in 1978. He then went to work for the Public Service Commission as assistant manager of engineering in the Utility Division where he retired for the final time. Russell was an active member of the First General Baptist Church, until his health prevented him from attending.

He is survived by his wife of almost seventy-three years, Nadine Cox; one daughter, Beverly Duggins, husband, Johnnie; one son, Howard Cox, wife, Connie; three grandsons, Shaun Duggins, wife, Andrea, David Cox, wife, Jessica and Michael Cox, wife, Crissie; thirteen great-grandchildren, Taylor, Tyler, Macie, Mia and Tayt Duggins, Sophia, Kellett, Nathan, Richard, Mary-Eva, Mattie-Miller, Whit and Catron Cox; and one sister, Mary Ann Feldman.

His parents, three brothers and one sister, precede him in death.

Mr. Cox will lie in state from 12:00 Noon on Friday, until service time at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to West Plains Christian Clinic or Gideon Bible Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.