Obituary of Robert Larry Cox

Robert Larry Cox, 85, passed away in his sleep early morning, December 22, 2018. Memorial service at Burleson Bible Church, Burleson, TX on Friday, December 28, at 10:00 a.m.

Larry was born September 25, 1933 in Van Buren, AR to Robert Henry Cox and Clara Ruth Hodges Cox. He and his younger sister, Betty Ruth Cox McLain, grew up on the farm and attended school at Dripping Springs, AR. When he turned 18, he chose to enlist in the US Navy to avoid being drafted into any of the “less-appealing” branches of the military and spent the next 20 years serving his country as a medical corpsman.

In 1965, while stationed in Albuquerque, NM, he married Viola Marie Sagely Turner who had a daughter, Donna, from a previous marriage. The day after their wedding, Donna became violently ill which they soon discovered was due to a malignant brain tumor. Larry faithfully stayed by Vi’s side for the next 2 years helping to care for Donna until she passed away at the age of 14. Just a few weeks after her death, Larry and Vi were transferred to the naval base in Sasebo, Japan.

Near the end of their time in Japan, Larry and Vi adopted Sherry LuAnn when she was just eight-days old, one last “souvenir.” Shortly after, Larry was sent to Viet Nam for a year and then spent his last two years in the Navy stationed at Quonset Point, RI.

Upon retirement, the Cox family moved to Albuquerque where Larry worked in the medical supply department of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. He enjoyed reading and studying the Bible, and taught Sunday school for many years. He retired from the VA earlier than planned due to Vi’s early onset of Alzheimer’s. He faithfully cared for her until she passed away December 27, 1999.

Larry enjoyed traveling the country with a senior adult tour company. On one such trip, he met Gladys West who became his best friend and companion for the next 10 years. They loved and cared for each other even as Larry began showing signs of dementia.

In 2013, Larry moved to Bethesda Gardens Memory Care Community in Fort Worth, TX to be near Sherry, and for some strange reason, decided he wanted to be called “Robert.”  The wonderful loving caregivers quickly became part of Robert’s family. His deep faith in God was reflected in every area of his life--devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend. Despite his memory loss and declining health, he never lost his sweet nature or his ability to smile, laugh and love.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Vi, and his friend, Gladys.

He is survived by his daughter, Sherry Roth and husband, Jaris, of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Zachary (and fiancée, Damiana Frias), Alexandria, and Gabriel Roth; sister, Betty Ruth McLain, and niece, Neena McLain and family, all of Baton Rouge, LA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the “Building Fund” of Burleson Bible Church, 260 S. Hurst Rd., Burleson, TX 76028 or to Sandia Baptist Church, 9429 Constitution Ave., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112.