David Ray Cox died in Newport News, Virginia on December 18, 2019 after years with COPD. David was born November 8, 1939 in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, the fifth child of George Adelbert Cox and Bessie Rebecca Cradduck Cox. In David’s early years the family lived on a small farm several miles from town where David learned an appreciation for nature that he kept throughout his life. David began his education in tiny Fairmount School in rural Arkansas, but after his family moved to Tulsa he graduated from the very large Tulsa Central High School. After some college, David fulfilled his military duty as a Military Policeman, serving in Germany. He worked and traveled for Williams Brothers Pipeline for a few years before deciding on a life as an antiques dealer. He and his life partner Weldon Gunter owned Colonial Antiques in Tulsa for many years. During that time they also traveled all over the country to participate in antique shows and sales and to make friends from everywhere. Church was always an important part of David’s life. As an adult he was closely involved with Trinity Episcopal Church in Tulsa, serving for a number of years by training and leading the acolytes. His ashes will be placed in the Columbarium at Trinity. During his years in Newport News, he was warmly welcomed to the Wednesday morning communion service at St Andrews Episcopal.
David was predeceased by his parents, his life partner and his brothers, Edward Monroe, George Adelbert, Jr., and Kenneth Lee Cox and his sister, Patricia Anderson He will be remembered by his sister Shirley Rapier of Newport News, Virginia, his sister-in-law Edith Cox of Tulsa; his nieces Linda Marlin, Celina Burkhart and Lynnetta Sislo and his nephews, Keith and Dale Anderson, Clinton and Steve Cox, Ric Fowler-Cox, Robert and Jonathan Borchert and his many great (and great-great) nieces and nephews.
Cremation Society of Virginia-Newport News assisted the family with their arrangements.