Elton "Tom" L. Cox

Cox, Elton “Tom” age 92, of Wichita, Kansas died in his home on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Tom was born on July 26th, 1927 in Centralia, Kansas to Roy and Lizzie (Sherrer) Cox. Tom served a short stint in the United States Army and was stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia before returning to Centralia, Kansas where he worked for the Kansas Department Roads. In 1950 he moved with his wife Erma (McGinty) Cox and two young daughters to make his home in Wichita where he lived for 70 years.

Tom worked as an experimental machinist at McGinty Machine Shop prior to going to work for Boeing Aircraft Company, Wichita in 1951. He especially enjoyed working in the “experimental” division helping to make parts for various airplane models and took great pride in helping to design and modify parts for the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft “Piggyback” 747 manufactured by NASA, Boeing. Tom retired in 1989.

Tom enjoyed his family and all kinds of sports. He played in a men’s fast pitch league in his younger days and his kids were in the stands cheering him on. He was an avid bowler and continued bowling until this summer session.

As his kids grew he coached or helped coach his kids in softball, baseball, football, and basketball. His grandkids always looked forward to Grandpa and Grandma cheering them on in the stands.

Tom loved music and trusted his ear when playing the piano, guitar and harmonica. Sing alongs were ever present at Christmas, reunions, and family gatherings.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Erma Cox, his son William (Bill) and his wife of 14 years Beverly (Shelton) Cox. He is survived by his daughters Jackie (Mike) Staats, of Wichita, Janet (Charlie) Boully of Olathe, Vickie (Gary) Truitt of Omaha, NE, Pam (Jay) Pine of Lawrence; grandchildren Bryan Staats, of Wichita, Lisa Miller, of Wichita, Adrienne (Miles) Rost, of Overland Park, KS, Kevin (Lauren) Boully, of Golden, CO, Matthew (Jill) Truitt, of Geneva IL, Cara (Ricardo) Pagan, of Omaha, NE, Cassie Largent, Wichita, KS, Jamie Stanclift, of Monroe, NC, Brett Stanclift, of Lawrence, KS, Jeremy Pine, of Lawrence, KS, Eric Pine, of Lawrence, KS; great grandchildren Michael Bradon Staats, of Wichita, Blake Staats, of Wichita, Kenslee (Scott) Roseberry, of Wichita, Nathan Miller, of Wichita, Nicklaus Miller, of Wichita, Jack Rost, of Overland Park, KS, Charlie Rost, of Overland Park, KS, Ella Rost, of Overland Park, KS, Will Rost, of Overland Park, KS, Arden Boully, of Golden, CO, Afton Boully, of Golden, CO, Chloe Truitt, of Geneva, IL, Taylor Truitt, of Geneva, IL, Deacon Truitt, of Geneva IL, Isabelle Pagan, of Omaha, NE, Adriana Pagan, of Omaha, NE, Olivia Pagan, of Omaha, NE, Jaycie Largent, of Wichita, Sophia Pine, of Lawrence, KS, Mason Pine, of Lawrence, KS, Lincoln Pine, of Lawrence, KS, Olivia Pine, of Lawrence, KS, other relatives and many friends.

A private service has been held. Memorials in his memory may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospital for Children.