Robert K. Cox

Robert K. Cox

May 12, 1923 - June 20, 2013

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Robert K. Cox of McCook died on June 20, 2013, at the age of 90 at Great Plains Medical Center in North Platte, Nebraska.

Bob was born the oldest child of Russell and Opal (Roberts) Cox on a farm south of Hemingford, Nebraska, on May 12, 1923. He attended school in Hemingford until ninth grade and then the family moved to Mitchell, Nebraska, where his dad barbered and Bob loved to help with the race horse they owned. He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1940. On their senior sneak trip he fell in love with Velma Polk and they were married on Sept. 20, 1941. They spent 59 years together and to this union was born Tom, Sharon and Betsy.

He joined the Navy in 1944 and was proud that he served on an aircraft carrier on the Pacific Front during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

After returning from the service, he and his brother, Russ, operated Cox Brothers Service Station at Mitchell. In 1955, the family moved to McCook where Bob was employed at the freight office at the railroad. Bob was a hard worker which began at the age of 10 shining shoes in his dad's barber shop. Bob retired as head maintenance supervisor at McCook Community College.

After Velma's death in October 1999, he married Marlene (Thebault) Reitz on March 23, 2001.

He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge AFAM No. 135 of McCook, Memorial United Methodist Church, VFW, and American Legion. His favorite pastimes were fishing, hunting, family gatherings, and watching the grandkids' sporting events and other activities.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Velma; a brother, Russell and a sister, Dorothea Merrigan.

Survivors include his wife, Marlene Cox of McCook; son, Tom and Susan of York, Nebraska; daughters, Sharon and Virgil Gruhn of Ravenna, Nebraska and Betsy and Charles Haag of Oberlin, Kansas.; two step-daughters Sandra Hirz of Fort Collins, Colorado and Cheryl Reitz of Chadron, Nebraska; eight grandchildren; Tom Cox, Lincoln, Nebraska, Chris Cox (Beth), Oro Valley, Arizona, Bob Behnke, Omaha, Nebraska, Tina Jones (Chris), Wahoo, Nebraska, Nathan (Marti) Haag, Rushville, Nebraska, Jody, Joel, Julie Haag and Nick Haag, Lincoln, Nebraska; 11 great-grandchildren: Braydon Cox, Kaylor and Trey Cox, Courtney, Marcus, and Kylee Jones, Berklie and Brenna Haag, Keegan, Kyler, and Kreyton Joel; five step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were at the United Methodist Church in McCook on Monday July 1, 2013, 10 a.m. with Associate Pastor Alisa Parde officiating. A 3 p.m. burial with full Military Honors was held at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska. Memorials may be left in Bob's name for a memorial to be established by the family.

Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.