COX, Randal Aaron

COX, FRY, HEMBRY, PETTIS, HOLDERBACH, FIERCE, PALMER, PARMER, SEYMOUR

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 12/1/2016 at 18:10:53

Obituary ~ Randal Aaron Cox
August 1, 1928 ~ November 24, 2016

Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa

Randal Aaron Cox, age 88, of Osceola, Iowa, son of Georgia Marion and Ruby Edith (Fry) Cox-Hembry, was born August 1, 1928, in Decatur County, Iowa. He died at the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, Iowa on Thursday, November 24, 2016.

Randal graduated in 1946, from the Van Wert High School in Van Wert, Iowa. He married Darlene Marjorie Pettis on July 30, 1947, in Kansas City, Missouri. They were blessed with two sons, Ted Allen and Billy Rex. The family lived on a farm west of Van Wert, and resided there for 59 years until retiring and relocating to Osceola, Iowa in 2006.

From 1956 until 1965, Randal and Darlene owned and operated the Cox General Store, in Van Wert, Iowa. In 1964, Randal started inventing and designed his first dozer blade. By 1965 he was designing and building farm implements to make farming jobs easier. He founded Cox, Inc. in 1966 and went on to hold 13 U.S. patents for his equipment designs including his invention of the hydraulic hay grabber, also known as the hay stabber. It became a U.S. Trademarked product. They showed their equipment for 35 years at numerous state and county fairs during the summers and several farm shows during the winter months. They also mass produced Cox, Inc. machinery for sale in Japan, Canada and Mexico. During this time Randal and Darlene continued to farm and raise cattle. Randal was active in the Van Wert Community as well as a charter member of the Osceola Eagles for 45 years.

One of Randal's biggest enjoyments in life was deer hunting seasons spent with his boys. He also loved playing cards with his wife and fishing and camping at his farm pond with family and friends. He was a gentle giant to his grandchildren, Brandon and Katie, as they grew up. They adored going on tractor rides with Grandpa, as well as helping him bottle feed calves and play with the farm kittens.

Those left to mourn his death include Darlene, his wife of 69 years; sons, Ted Cox of Van Wert, Iowa and Bill Cox and wife, Lorina of Leon, Iowa; grandchildren, Brandon and Breeann Cox and son, Kelton, all of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Katie Marie and Matthew Holderbach of Leavenworth, Kansas; brother, Corwin Cox of Grand River, Iowa, sister, Kay Fierce and husband, Dennis of Van Wert; brother-in-law, Lawrence Palmer of Van Wert; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Russell Cox and Donnie Cox; sister, Rosalie Palmer; and sisters-in-law, Merna Cox, Doris Parmer, and Barbara Cox; brothers-in-law, Pat Parmer and Russell Seymour and wife Dorothy; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2016, with Pastor Brian Hardee officiating. Burial will be in the Van Wert Cemetery, Van Wert, Iowa.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2016

Decatur Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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