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Harold Wayne Cox © Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise 08-13-2008 Submitted by: Jo Aguirre
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Harold Wayne Cox
Harold Wayne Cox was born to Elijah and Alta Mae Cox on February 10, 1925 in Copan, Oklahoma. With his loving wife Emma Lou at his side, he passed from this life the afternoon of August 11, 2008 at his home in Bartlesville.
Wayne, as he was known to his friends and family, was one of ten children. He grew up in Copan and, at the advent of World War II in 1942, he left Copan High School and joined the Navy, serving as a Rear Gunner and Aviation Radioman 2nd Class aboard a Douglas Dauntless Dive Bomber during the epic air and naval campaigns of the Pacific. During this time he was stationed in Efate, New Hebrides in the South Pacific, flying scout, decoy, and extensive combat support missions. After the war Wayne served stateside as a radio crewmember aboard B24s and was stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, attaining the rank of ARM 2nd Class Petty Officer prior to his discharge.
At the end of the war in 1946, Wayne returned to Copan and finished High School, graduating in May 1946. In early 1948, after two years of college at Bartlesville Junior College and Pittsburgh (Kansas) State, he went to work for Phillips Petroleum and enjoyed a satisfying, 37-year career as a Reservoirs Engineer in both the Bartlesville and Borger, Texas offices. After retiring from Phillips in June of 1985, he and Emma Lou lived several more years in Borger before moving back to Bartlesville in 2001 where they rejoined the East Cross Methodist church. Both he and Emma Lou were very active in church and Sunday school programs and ministries; a participation that will be continued by Emma Lou and bolstered by Wayne's ever-lasting spirit.
While working for Phillips, Wayne played centerfield for the Frank Phillips Men's Club fast pitch softball team. Thanks to his high-pitched, distinctive whistle, he was tagged with the nickname "Squeaky." An aggressive centerfielder, Wayne was known for his diving and often warning track catches. He anchored the team's batting line-up with a solid 300 plus average and in 1958 they won the coveted State Fast-Pitch Softball Championship.
Wayne was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was once featured on the cover of PHILNEWS with one of his bird dogs and his shotgun held comfortably at his side. He continued to enjoy fishing up to within weeks of his passing, his favorite spots being around the Copan area where he grew up as a boy.
Besides his beloved and loyal wife, Emma Lou, Wayne is survived by one sister, Mildred Hays of Drumright, Oklahoma; two sons, Leslie Wayne Cox of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Stephen R. Cox of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and one daughter, Carol Stewart of Hobe Sound, Florida. He was also blessed and is survived by several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Wayne's parents were pioneers, after moving from the Midwest around the turn of the century, they settled in northeastern Oklahoma and had ten children. Wayne was preceded in death by five sisters: June Zimmerman, Opal Keller, Lois Wilson, Faye Trippett, and Pauline Peru. Two brothers, Russell Cox and Leslie Cox, also preceded his death.
Wayne was a voracious reader and toward the later part of his life preferred westerns, often averaging six-to-ten books a week. He had an excellent and erudite vocabulary, allowing him to excel at crossword and many other intellectually-challenging puzzles. Among his family and close friends, his poetry was renowned, especially his limericks.
It wasn't long ago that Wayne was asked the things for which he wanted to be remembered. He said he wanted to be remembered as a good husband; a good father; and, a good church member. For those who knew Wayne, he will be remembered for those important things, but most of all he will be remembered for his loving and wonderful sense of humor. His spirit, his love of life, and the gift that God gave him to laugh, enjoy, and share the funny and special things that make our lives worthwhile is the legacy for which Wayne will most be remembered. May he rest in peace forever and ever.
Graveside committal services for Mr. Cox will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, August 14, 2008 in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial services will follow at 2 p.m. in the East Cross United Methodist Church with the Rev. Emery Mason Officiating. Funeral services are under the direction of the Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.
In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to the Cornerstone Hospice, 3414 SE Kentucky, Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74006 or to the East Cross United Methodist Church Educational Fund, 820 SE Madison Blvd., Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74006.
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