Richard "Dick" Dean Cox's Obituary
Richard Dean (Dick) Cox passed away Saturday, September 7, 2024 at the Mercy One Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Dick had been in declining health the past few years after suffering a heart attack in 2019. It eventually led to heart failure and a recent diagnosis of cancer.
Dick was born February 28, 1951, the fifth child of James and Betty (Ambelang) Cox. He started his young life on the Miles farm near Corydon where he attended Robb Elementary country school until its closure in 1957. He attended elementary school in Corydon until his family moved to the Miles farm near Promise City in 1964. He attended school in Seymour through the eighth grade. Dick wanted to return to Corydon to participate in wrestling during his high school years. His parents agreed to let him live with his brother Bob during his freshman and sophomore years and then with the Bill McClymonds family his junior and senior years of high school. Dick graduated from Wayne Community High School with the class of 1970.
Following graduation Dick and some of his friends decided to leave Iowa and go west to look for jobs. He settled in Lakewood, Colorado where he worked building foundations for a short time before returning to Iowa.
Dick worked some construction jobs over his lifetime but found his calling as a truck driver. He worked for several trucking companies over the years, including trucking with his Dad's James E Cox Trucking business for five years. Dick had a strong work ethic, eventually going to work for Bruening Rock Products and retiring in 2023.
On May 26, 1997, Dick married Linda (Bills) Roberts becoming stepfather to her three children Dan, Zach and Gabe. Dick and Linda made their home in Corydon until a recent move to Melrose, Iowa. They lived there together until Linda suffered a stroke necessitating her move to a care center in Missouri.
Although Dick was small in stature he had a big heart. He loved animals and he loved his family - worrying about them constantly. He was a unique individual and lived life on his own terms. He was an avid Hawkeye fan even asking about the outcome of the Iowa vs Iowa State game while he was in the hospital.
He is survived by his wife Linda Cox of Milan, Mo.; brother Larry Cox (Linda) of Ankeny; sister, Janet Partridge (Philip) of Allerton; sisters-in-law, Connie Cox of Corydon, Erin Baughman (Richard) of Eugene, Oregon, and Valerie Magness (John) of Prescott, Arizona; brother-in-law, Richard Bills (Kiersey) of Long Beach, California; stepchildren, Dan Roberts (Sheila) of Bondurant; Zach Roberts of Eugene, Oregon and Gabe Roberts (Alexis) of Windsor, South Carolina; step grandchildren, Morgan Roberts of Bondurant, Maddox and Hagan Roberts of Eugene, Oregon and step great grandchildren, Savannah and Bradley Roberts of Windsor, South Carolina . Dick also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents Jimmy and Betty Cox; brothers, Bob and Steve Cox; his sister-in-law Candice Cox.
Per Dick's request there will be no services. Memorials in honor of Dick made be left to Furever Friends Rescue of Appanoose Inc. and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Cox family, 303 East Jefferson, Corydon, Iowa 50060. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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