Richard L. Cox

Richard L. Cox passed away peacefully, with his loving family at his side on August 8, 2011 in Sun City Arizona. Richard was born on June 9, 1932 to Pearl and Delmar Cox in Flora, Illinois and for the last 10 years he has made his home in Peoria, AZ. He served his country in the United States Army, being awarded the Purple Heart for his service in Korea. After receiving his Honorable Discharge, Richard became a member of the Composition Roofers Union, Local #11 and worked as a roofing foreman for over 35 years. Prior to moving to Arizona, he was a very active member of the Oak Forest Baptist Temple in Oak Forest, IL, where he served as an usher and a Sunday-school bus driver. He loved his family and shared with them his love of fishing and boating and instilled in his children his love of books. He is survived by his adored wife of 57 years, Geraldine Cox (Johnston); his cherished children Debra Ann Evans, Brenda Lee Gilday (William), Sheryl Lynn Schroeder (Greg) and Alyce Agostino (William Guerena); treasured grandchildren Rebecca Sage, Megan Swalina, Vanessa Agostino, Melissa Swalina, Jessica Schroeder, Brian Gilday, Alyssa Gilday and Jacob Schroeder; nieces Crystal Girard, Amanda Fitzgerald, Emily Drummond, Linda Pratscher, Barbara Schoenberger and Sandra Kavanaugh and nephew David Gayle. Richard was predeceased by his beloved grandson Richard Agostino, brother Harold Cox and nephew Michael Johnston. Visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 8:30pm at Sunland Memorial Park and Mortuary, 15826 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City AZ, on Friday, August 12, 2011. A Service of Remembrance will be held Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 10:30am. Burial will follow at Sunland Memorial Park. Donations may be made in Richard’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Richard L. Cox was somewhat modest, quiet at times and observant, taking in everything around him. He was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in most everything he did. He was a friendly person who truly cared about those around him, especially his family.

Richard was born on June 9, 1932 at home in Flora, Illinois. He was the son of Delmar and Pearl Cox. His family moved often between Chicago and southern Illinois. As a child, he learned to be hard working, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that he would carry with him throughout his life. He was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay.

Richard was raised with one brother, Harold, and was constantly involved in activities with his family. Richard and his sibling had the typical rivalries while growing up but they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

Growing up, Richard was one of those children who didn’t need to be in the center of activity. He was content to entertain himself. Richard was never pushy when it came to games and other activities, but rather, he was able to enjoy the pure fun these could bring. In just about everything he did as a child, Richard was intent on pleasing his parents.

Richard took part in a number of activities as a young person. He participated in football, basketball and baseball. He also became a Boy Scout.

Richard enjoyed learning. He always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Richard learned best through observation. He often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand.

He attended Hyde Park High School, and in 1953 received his high school diploma under the GED program. Richard enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers. His favorite classes in high school were math and woodworking. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Mr. Rourke. He also played Varsity football and earned a letter.

Richard was an Army veteran. He seemed to thrive on the routines offered up by the military. He received his basic training at Ft. Leonardwood, MO, and later after returning from Korea, was stationed at Camp Atterbury, IN. He saw action in Korea from 1951-1952. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received several awards including a Good Conduct Medal and The Purple Heart, and a letter of commendation. In later years, he was an active member of the VFW and became the Vice President of his post.

Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Richard. On June 27, 1954 he married Geraldine Johnston at Graham Taylor Chapel at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. He was totally committed to Geraldine and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Richard naturally sensed his spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally.

Richard was blessed with four daughters, Debra, Brenda, Sheryl and Alyce. He was also blessed with 9 grandchildren, Rebecca, Megan, Vanessa, Melissa, Jessica, Brian, the late Richard Agostino, Alyssa and Jacob.

Richard was a good father to his children. He had “old fashioned” parental values and would handle typical family conflicts in a firm but fair manner. He trusted his emotions to resolve situations.

If you gave Richard a deadline, he would meet it. At work, Richard was always on task. Without hesitation, Richard could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. His primary occupation was a commercial roofer. During that time, Richard excelled in working with small groups in order to complete assignments. He was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency. Richard was good at staying on track. In this way, Richard had a true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems. He was often the team member who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.

Richard liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Richard's choice of leisure time activities. He preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on his hobbies. His favorite pursuits were hunting, fishing, reading and swimming. Richard was content to sit quietly alone just reading.

Just as he had enjoyed actively participating in sports in his younger years, he also enjoyed the statistical data and the facts behind the sports in his later years. In this way, he was something of an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite teams whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were football and basketball.

An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, his faith was important to Richard. His compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in his personal beliefs. He was a member of Oak Forest Baptist Temple for ten years. During that time, he was an usher and a Sunday school bus driver.

It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Richard was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Richard was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of man to whom everyone was drawn. He was thorough and practical. He was very literal with his words. You always knew where you stood with him.

Richard retired from roofing in 1985, and in 2001 moved to Peoria, AZ. Richard passed away due to complications from cancer on August 8, 2011, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Geraldine, and his four daughters, Debra Ann Evans, Brenda Lee Gilday (William), Sheryl Ann Schroeder (Greg) and Alyce Denise Agostino (William Guerena). His simple ways and his humor and love he taught and shared with his family will be a void that will be hard to fill and he will be greatly missed.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center, Sun City, AZ.623-933-0161