Funeral services for Russell Lee Cox, 91, West Plains, Mo., will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Russell went home to be with his Lord Tuesday, July 28, 2015.
He was born Oct. 26, 1923, to Herbert Ray Cox and Effie Mae Wagoner. Upon his mother’s death at a young age, Russell was raised by his stepmother, Lula.
On Sept. 22, 1942, he was married at West Plains, Mo., to Nadine Smith.
Mr. Cox was a veteran, having been drafted into the United States Army on March 5, 1943, and served his country proudly until Dec. 25, 1945.
He began working for the Central Telephone Company as a brush cutter and worked his way up to general manager in West Plains. He was promoted from that position to commercial manager over the state of Missouri and held that position until his retirement in 1978. He then went to work for the Public Service Commission as assistant manager of engineering in the Utility Division where he retired for the final time. Russell was an active member of the First General Baptist Church, until his health prevented him from attending.
He is survived by his wife of almost 73 years, Nadine Cox; one daughter, Beverly Duggins, husband, Johnnie; one son, Howard Cox, wife, Connie; three grandsons, Shaun Duggins, wife, Andrea, David Cox, wife, Jessica, and Michael Cox, wife, Crissie; 13 great-grandchildren, Taylor, Tyler, Macie, Mia and Tayt Duggins, Sophia, Kellett, Nathan, Richard, Mary-Eva, Mattie-Miller, Whit and Catron Cox; and one sister, Mary Ann Feldman.
His parents, three brothers and one sister preceded him in death.
Mr. Cox will lie in state from noon Friday until service time at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Christian Clinic or Gideon Bible Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.
