Paul Edward Cox, son of Jack Thomas Cox and Myrl Lee Vogt Cox, was born Feb. 26, 1944 in Ava and departed this life on Feb. 19, 2021 at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield at the age of 76 years, 11 months and 23 days. On Dec. 26, 1965, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Davis and they were married almost 44 years before her passing on Nov. 13, 2009. He was also preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Jackie Ray Cox; father-in-law, Raleigh Davis; and two brothers-in-law, Larry Davis and David Davis. Paul is survived by two sisters, Patsy Lansdown and husband, Ronnie, and Barbara Cox, all of Ava; mother-in-law, Wilma Davis, of Ava; nieces and nephews, Doug Lansdown, Jill Lansdown, Jackie Cavanaugh, Joy Whitman, Tammy Willbanks, Kim Hinton, Gina Swisher and Mike Davis; many great-nieces and great-nephews as well as other relatives; and he and Phyllis helped care for and raise many kids in the Mansfield community. Paul was raised in the Beaver Creek area on Highway 76 and was a graduate of Ava High School in the Class of 1962. He served in the National Guard for many years out of Fort Wood and was very proud to have done so. He worked for several years at Hutchens Industries before going to work for MoDOT, where he worked for 16 years until retiring. Paul could fix anything and would help anyone who would ask him.
He was a lifelong mechanic, ranging from automobiles, outboard motors, lawnmowers, you name it and he could fix it. In his spare time, he loved to hunt and fish. Paul was a loving husband, brother, uncle and a caring neighbor and friend. Someone who was always willing to help others and even after his death it was his wish to be a donor and his eyes were donated so someone else might benefit in some way. We will miss Paul, but we know his physical struggles that he has had for several years are now over.
Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 at the Mansfield Cemetery with the Rev. Larry Scott. Honorary escorts were Mike Davis, Doug Lansdown, Andy Swisher, Nathan Swisher, Caleb Swisher, Jadon Lansdown, Buster Davis, Wyatt Davis, Donnie Brazeal, David Barnett and Wendell Matlock. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital through Holman-Howe Funeral Home P.O. Box 199 Mansfield, Mo. 65704. Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Mansfield handled the arrangements.
