Thomas Lewis Cox's Obituary
COX – Thomas Lewis, of Tulsa, OK, passed away peacefully, in his home, on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, at the age of 89 years. Tom was born in Porter, OK, on November 12, 1925, to Milo and Etta (McIntosh) Cox. He grew up as a farm boy and dreamed of discovering new parts of the world. At 17 years old he became a sailor in the United States Navy and began his journey. Tom served his country from 1943 to 1962 during World War II. He married his high school sweetheart, Faye Moore, on May 23, 1956, in Charleston, SC. They were married more than 52 years. Tom and Faye lived in Morocco, North Africa; Norfolk, VA; and Muskogee, OK; before settling in Tulsa, OK in the late 1970s. His proudest accomplishment was adopting two children from Greece, Michelle and Michael, while stationed overseas. Before retiring from the Navy, Tom attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer and received the following medals: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, National Defense Service, American Campaign, World War II Victory, Navy Occupation Service, numerous good conduct medals, and three bronze stars. During his military career, Tom served on many ships including: the U.S.S. John D. Ford (DD-228), U.S.S. Ellet (DD-398), U.S.S. Takanis Bay (CVE-89), U.S.S. Albemarle (AV-5), U.S.S. Meredith (DD-890), U.S.S. Turner (DDR-834), U.S.S. Fremont (APA-44), U.S.S. Cambria (APA-36), and the U.S.S. York County (LST-1175). In total, he spent over 6 years on foreign soil or at sea. Following his military retirement in 1962, Tom spent the next 20 years working for Rockwell International (originally North American Aviation) as a security officer. Tom will be remembered as a kind, gentle, family man who was proud to be a Muscogee (Creek) citizen. His interests included history, geography, hunting with his son and grandsons, painting, classical music, marine studies, woodworking, and boxing. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and 7 siblings. Tom is survived by: his daughter, Michelle Cox-Alspaugh and her husband John, of Tulsa, OK; son, Dr. Michael Cox and his wife Joyce, of Pryor, OK; grandson, Michael Cox, Jr. and his wife Kassi, of Broken Arrow, OK; granddaughter, Danielle Fielding of Broken Arrow, OK; grandson, Matthew Cox and his wife Tiffany, of Broken Arrow, OK; 2 step-granddaughters, Kari and Emma Alspaugh, of Tulsa, OK; great grandchildren Blakeley and Boston Cox, of Broken Arrow, OK; step-great grandchildren Isabella Cawvey, Gabriel Williams, and Matthew Alspaugh, of Tulsa, OK; 1 brother, Richard Cox, of Tulsa, OK; and a number of nieces and nephews. Special thanks to neighbors, Harry and Michele Shafe, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and Hospice of Green Country. Family will greet friends 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, November 1, 2015, Floral Haven Funeral Visitation Room, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Service will be held 10 a.m., Monday, November 2, 2015 at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel in Broken Arrow, OK (918-252-2518).
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