George Cox

George Alvin Cox, son of the late Hubert Cox and Fronie Washam Cox, was born Aug. 26, 1931, in Bethel Springs, Tennessee, and departed this life Feb. 15, 2024, at Signature Healthcare in Clarksville, Tennessee, at the age of 92 years.

Mr. Cox was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving from 1952 to 1956, during the Korean War. He was a former resident of Dexter, Missouri, and a member of the Dexter Church of Christ, where he served as deacon of the benevolence ministry for 25 years. He was a former Elementary and Junior High School Teacher and Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, and Track Coach for the Richland Rebels in Essex, Missouri. He retired after 31 years with the Richland R-1 Public Schools. Mr. Cox was a Meals on Wheels volunteer for the Dexter Senior Center for 25 years and delivered over 16,000 meals. Mr. Cox was the Region 12 winner of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association Distinguished Retiree Award, was a counselor with the Southeast Area Agency on Aging, a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, a member of the Stoddard County Mental Health Board, an American Cancer Society volunteer for Relay for Life, a member of the Elk’s Lodge, a member of the American Legion, and a Sunday School Teacher. Mr. Cox was awarded the Missouri Lieutenant Governor’s Senior Service Award. He loved St. Louis Cardinal baseball and Richland Rebel basketball. Mr. Cox had the heart of a servant and a passion for coaching and mentoring area youth.

He was united in marriage to Bernice Strickland Dec. 19, 1953, in Maryland Heights, Missouri. Mrs. Cox preceded him in death Feb. 24, 2013.

He is survived by two daughters, Sherry Alsup and husband, Tim, of Clarksville, Tennessee and Kimberly Lawrence and partner, Michael Murphy, of Ellisville, Missouri, and seven grandchildren, Kara Alsup Harris, Matthew Alsup, Hannah Lawrence, Collin Lawrence, Rory Cox, Jeremy Cox, and Jared Cox. He also leaves behind his dear friend and sister in Christ, Eulah Grissom.

Other than by his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Cox; three brothers, William “Dub” Cox, Marvin Cox, and Parvin Cox; and three sisters, Helen Crow, Nina Reinbott, and Robbie Hurst. He was also preceded in death by his special friend, Sue Brillhart.

Mr. Cox’s family would like to thank the wonderful friends, neighbors, and caregivers that took such good care of him during the final few years and days of his life, Paul and Marilyn Burleson, Peggy Potts, the Kurt Lovelady Family, Betty Alsup, Jeannie Putney, the staff of Jubilee House, Samantha Mackinnon, and Sharon Loveall.

Funeral services were conducted at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter Feb. 26, 2024. Interment followed in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the ALS Society in honor of Mr. Cox’s granddaughter, Kara Harris, who was recently diagnosed with ALS.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangements.