Obituary for Nowlin “Corky” Cox Nowlin D. “Corky” Cox, 82, died at home on October 2, 2018, after battling an inoperable brain tumor. He was born on July 25, 1936, in Merkel, TX, to Denzel Cox and Ruth Pike Cox. Corky graduated from Merkel High School Class of 1954.
Following his high school graduation he would attend both McMurry University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1961 and Southwestern Oklahoma State, where he received a Master of Education. On May 16, 1957, between all the schooling, he married the love of his life, Lila Ruth Bonner. They moved all over Texas, in the 30 years he was in the public-school systems serving as an educator, and more importantly a coach.
They eventually settled in Merkel in 1989. They were married for 61 years. Along with being an educator, he also spent 8 years as the Taylor County Commissioner.
He belonged to the Texas High School Coaches Association, was on the board for the Merkel Area Historical Museum, and was inducted into the Merkel Badger Hall of Fame. His greatest hobbies included working crossword puzzles every morning, playing bingo at the local VFW in Abilene, watching westerns, and never missing an episode of Judge Judy. Corky never met a stranger, and was always interested to know everything about anyone that he met.
He felt as though his greatest accomplishment was his family, and he was very proud to see how his children and grandchildren turned out. Corky is survived by his beloved wife, Lila Cox of Merkel; his son and daughter-in-law Deral and Tammy Cox of China Spring; Son and daughter-in-law David and Beth Cox of Lubbock; Daughter and son-in-law Dana and Tim Goad of New Braunfels; Son and daughter-in-law Del Van and Chris Cox of Abilene; 12 grandchildren and spouses; Sheena and her husband James Newton; Tyrel Cox; Sonya and her husband Jesse Vasquez; Megan and her husband Westin Tucker; Jim and his wife Kaila Cox; Molly and her husband Anthony Arellano; Amy and her husband Adam Bennett; Chris Goad; Nathalie and her husband Melvin Navarro; Emily, Clay and Sarah Cox; 12 greatgrandchildren; 2 sisters Joyce Ferguson of Abilene and Patsy O’Kelly of Trent; Sister-in-law Sue Hartman; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Corky was preceded in death by his mother and father Ruth and Denzel Cox; his brother Davey Cox; and his brothers-in-law John Ferguson and Othell O’Kelly.
Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00PM Friday, October 5, 2018 at Starbuck Funeral Home in Merkel, Texas. A celebration of life will be held at 10:00AM Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Merkel High School Gymnasium. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Services are under the direction of Starbuck Funeral Home. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers donations be made to: -The Merkel Area Historical Museum 1501 N. 7th St. Merkel, Texas 79536 -Kinder Hearts Home Health/ Hospice 842 Mockingbird Lane Abilene, Texas 79603 -Merkel United Methodist Church 1202 S. 3rd Street Merkel, Tx 79536 To send flowers to the family of Nowlin “Corky” Cox, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
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