Gary Allen Cox (2024)
BENNA, CLOSE, COX, DRAHOS, FRANCK, HILDEBRAND, NEWBERG, ONEILL, PAINE, WEILAND, WILSON
Posted By: Linda Smith
Date: 12/16/2024 at 11:53:43
Iowa Cremation
Waukee, IowaJanuary 16, 1940 - December 13, 2024
Gary Allen Cox, born January 16, 1940, in Clarinda, Iowa, died peacefully on December 13, 2024, after a several year battle with Dementia/Alzheimer’s. He was 84 years old.
As a child, his family farmed land in Page and Taylor Counties. He graduated from Clarinda High School in 1958, from Clarinda Community College in 1960, and from Iowa State University, with a degree in Animal Science, in 1962.
He began working at the Omaha Stockyards and then enlisted in the US Army. After boot camp, he worked at a vet clinic in Oklahoma, before being sent to Japan as a food inspector for the remainder of his 3-year Army service. His job was inspecting local foods that were being shipped to Vietnam (he loved living and working in Japan!).
After honorary discharge from the service, he took a job with Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) working in Appanoose, Dubuque and Jackson Counties. His work included helping young families afford their first homes and small communities getting sewer and water systems.
Gary met his future wife, Ester Mae (Franck from Quasqueton/Winthrop, IA) in Dubuque and they married in June 1968. He then transferred to Ingham County Michigan FmHA, where Ester Mae was attending graduate school. They then moved back to southwest Iowa, where Gary served as County FmHA Director in Page, Fremont and Mills Counties. After that he worked as a banker for five years at Fremont County Savings Bank in Clarinda, where he was responsible for agricultural loans. While in Sidney, IA, he volunteered in several ways – as an EMT, a fireman, for the Sidney Rodeo, and as President of the Chamber of Commerce.
In 1976, the family moved to 240 acres in Taylor County where they built a home, he farmed, and they raised 3 daughters. He circled back to his love of animals – having sheep, cattle, horse, a goat or two, dogs and cats. While farming, he also attended many auctions and went to auctioneer school, allowing him to work as a Ringman. He was salesman at Implement Dealership in Clarinda and served as county fair volunteer as sheep superintendent for several years.
In 1992, wife Ester Mae’s work transferred her to Woodbury County (Sioux City), and they sold the Taylor County farm. Gary’s answer about “What are you going to do?” was, "I can do anything". He took job as a Superintendent at the Sioux City Stockyards, which he loved, until the Stockyards closed. He next took up semi-truck driving – driving tanker trucks including some with hazardous materials – anhydrous and propane. He also worked as a warehouseman with the Sioux City Grain Terminal – where they loaded out grain to ship in barges down the Missouri River.
He retired in spring of 2003, when he and Ester Mae moved to 30 acres in Madison County. He was an avid gardener, raised sheep, a couple of horses, a donkey, and several cats and dogs. He volunteered for the Madison County Sheep Producers and took up working auctions again. For a few years, he was employed at Peru, IA rock Quarry, loading the rock trucks hauling for construction jobs. His last job was serving as a driver for several Amish men who lived nearby who worked on construction projects throughout central Iowa. He was member of American Legion Green Rogers Post 184 in Winterset and a Lifetime Member of Iowa State University Alumni Association.
Preceding him in death were his parents. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ester Mae Cox, Des Moines; and three daughters Cindy (Marshall) Close of Polk City, Iowa, Cheryl Paine (Jim Wieland) of Dallas, Texas, and Nancy (David) Benna of Ankeny Iowa. His four grandchildren are Jared Allen Paine (Meaghan O'Neill) of Villa Park, Illinois, Riley Alexander Close (Natalie Shanks) of Ankeny, Iowa, Molly Kathryn Close (Max Smith Drahos) of Ankeny, Iowa, and Evan Jeffrey Paine (Allison Hildebrand) of Tucson, Arizona. Also surviving are his siblings: sisters Charlotte (Ray) Newberg of Clarinda, Iowa, and Jean Wilson of Clarinda, Iowa; and brothers Wayne (Kathy) Cox of Kansas City, Missouri, and Warren Cox of Covington, Washington.
No services are planned at this time. He will be honored on Tribute Wall at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter. Condolences may be left directly to the family by visiting IowaCremation.com under Obituaries.
Memorials in his name can be sent to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago IL 60601 or online at: Alzheimer's Association/ Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Help
Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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