Vernie Samuel Cox Jr.

Vernie Samuel Cox Jr., 67, went to be home with the Lord on Sunday, May 20, 2012, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, Kan. He was born Feb. 24, 1945, in St. Joseph, Mo., to Vernie Samuel and Vica Mae Lingle Cox.

Vernie went to a country school at Black Jack, Mo., for five years and finished at El Dorado Springs High School. He obtained a G.E.D. and two years of college at Lamar, Colo. There he met Debbie Guthrie and into that union two sons were born, Vernie Samuel Cox III and James Franklin Cox.

He worked various jobs from small appliance sales and repair to driving trucks of various sizes. His work life was shortened by a brain aneurism in 1975. In 1991, he met Alberta Owens, the love of his life. They shared more than 21 years together.

He is survived by his son, James Franklin Cox of Westminster, Colo.; a sister, Verona Olmstead, Richards, Mo.; four brothers, James V. Cox, Republic, Mo., Jerry and Cordia Cox, Lewis and Lisa Cox both of Nevada, David and Tricia Cox , Richards, Mo., where he made his home after leaving the nursing home April 30, 2012. A host of nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Vernie S. Cox III; his parents; a sister, VaLinda Baum; two brothers, George Cox and Edward Cox; aunts Fay, Ellen and Esther; uncles, Lee and Earl; three half brothers, Martin, Archie and Thomas Cox. He was also preceded in death by his long-time companion, Alberta Owens, in July of 2011.

He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends and all who met and knew him.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 29, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with the Rev. Bill Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Brush Creek Cemetery in Cedar County, Mo.

Friends may call now and until the hour of service at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Contributions may be made in his memory to either the American Diabetes Association, or the American Heart Association in care of Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada.

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