James Bruce Cox

James Bruce Cox departed this life on Tuesday, August 19th at Harris Hospital in Ft. Worth, Texas. He was born on January 26, 1937 to Wanda Louise “Bryant” Cox and James Bracken "J.B." Cox. Bruce was raised in the Arlington Heights area of Ft. Worth, Texas and graduated in 1955 from Arlington Heights High School. He went on to attend North Texas State College in Denton, Texas. It was there he met the love of his life, Marilyn Whitlock. Bruce and Marilyn were married on November 23, 1957 in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Eventually they settled in Ft. Worth’s west side where they raised their three sons: Carey, Craig and Todd.

On November 29, 1958, Bruce began his career with the Ft. Worth Fire Department. After 35 years of service he retired as Battalion Chief. Upon retirement, he remained a City of Ft. Worth Retirement Board member as the representative for all retired Ft. Worth city employees for many years. He was also appointed to the Texas Pension Review Board by Governor Ann Richards and reappointed by Governor George W. Bush.

Bruce was very involved in the activities of his sons, especially when it came to sports. He coached their football and baseball teams throughout the years until they started high school. Then if he was not on duty at the fire station, he and Marilyn were right there watching from the sidelines at each one of their games. After the boys moved off to college and each one started his own family, Bruce and Marilyn were right back at those sidelines. This time it was to watch one of their seven grandchildren in their activities, whether it be football, baseball or to watch their one and only granddaughter play in the band. They continued this with their great grandchildren as well.

Baseball was a big part of Bruce’s life. After retirement, he and Marilyn took a Jay Buckley Baseball Tour at least once a year and visited at least three or four MLB games in different cities. Visiting Corpus Christi was an integral part of Bruce’s life, whether he was taking the boys on a summer vacation or getting away with his wife for a few days. Thankfully, Bruce, Marilyn, their sons and their wives were able to take “a down memory lane trip” to Corpus Christi last year.

Another thing Bruce had a passion for was getting away to Possum Kingdom to their little lake cabin. His dream was to always retire there. That dream became a reality in February of 2017 when he and Marilyn made Possum Kingdom Lake their full-time residence. It was there that the water drew Bruce to a closer walk with God through Jesus our Messiah. His wife was a born and raised Methodist and Bruce decided he wanted to start going to the local Baptist church. Soon afterwards they both started going to the First Baptist Church of Possum Kingdom. Bruce and Marilyn were baptized along with others from the church in the lake, right in front of their cabin. He and Marilyn spent each day sitting and watching the lake, the birds, ducks, geese and other wildlife. Then in the still of the evening, they watched the most beautiful sunsets until the solar lights along the lake were all illuminated.

Our beloved Bruce/Dad/Papa Bruce’s light will shine on in the lessons he taught, the stories he shared and the memories we hold dear.

Bruce is survived by his wife Marilyn of Graford, Texas, sons Carey Cox and wife Sherry of Ft. Worth, Texas, Craig Cox and wife Melinda of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Todd Cox and wife Tracy of North Richland Hills, Texas, grandchildren Aaron Lopez and wife Mirela of Benbrook, Texas, Matthew Baetz of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Cody Baetz and wife Hillary of Lindsay, Oklahoma, Justin Cox and wife Katie of Flower Mound, Texas, Matthew Cox and wife Ani of Boerne, Texas, Blake Cox of North Richland Hills, Texas and Kylie Stephens and husband Dillyn of Norman, Oklahoma, great-grandchildren: Ashton Lopez, Gabriela Lopez, Avery Baetz, Judah Shaw, Isabela Lopez, Oliver “Ollie” Shaw, Harlow Baetz, Margo Cox, Leo Cox, Nolan Cox, Marcelo Cox and Ethan Cox, brother Billy Paul Cox and wife Cindy of Benbrook, Texas, bonus daughter Cindy Metcalf and Husband Ken of Denton, Texas along with their three children, Lindsey, Meredith and Parker.

He is preceded in death by his father James Bracken “J.B.” Cox, mother Wanda Cox, brother Byron Cox, sister Wanda Henderson and brother Brack Cox.

Open Viewing will occur on Wednesday 08/27/2025,from 10:00am-5:00pm, family will receive guests from 6:00pm-8:00pm, Funeral Service will be Thursday 08/28/2025 at 10:00am at Laurel Land Funeral Home, Burial to immediately follow.