Obit of Cox, David Daniel - Caddo County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 20 May 2007 Return to Caddo County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/caddo/caddo.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::Boice FH--CLovis CA Cox, David Daniel DAVID DANIEL COX "Papa Cox" 1938 - 2007 David "Papa Cox" was born in Apache, Oklahoma on December 6, 1938, and passed away in Friant, California on the morning of Saturday, January 20, 2007, after an aggressive four month fight with an equally aggressive cancer. Raised here in the valley through economic hard times, his parents instilled in him and his three sisters a sense of humor that would serve them all well throughout their lives and is the Cox family legacy to this day. After serving his country in the U.S. Army overseas, he returned to his hometown of Delhi where he met the love of his life, Velma, when he stopped for a burger and shake. He fell in love with the beautiful, shy carhop and, in 1959, formed a union that brought three of the most wonderful children into the world, Dennis, Donna and Darold. He moved his family to the Fresno/ Clovis area in the early 1960s where he worked hard in the automotive field to provide for his family and played hard to show his children the meaning of fun. In 1981, he opened his own auto repair shop in Clovis, Universal Auto and Truck Repair. By that time, his sons were old enough to learn to wrench and the three of them, along with Velma, built the business to what it is today. His son Darold will continue what his father started and will keep the shop open, in spite of the fact that the boss is no longer with him. Dave loved to go fast and started drag racing as a young adult, eventually evolving to stock car racing, traveling throughout the valley collecting trophies. He raced and won at the dirt track in Hanford well into his sixties. Demonstrating his powers not only as a driver but as a mentor to his children, he eventually produced a track champion, as well as Southwest Tour driver in his two sons. Even his daughter caught the racing bug and raced the track a few times. Dave seemed to think it was his purpose in life to show his family and friends how to have a good time and was always group leader wherever he went. If he wasn't racing, repairing or restoring automobiles, he was out on his boat, his bike or his buggy. He had a special talent for breathing new life into old vehicles and there are countless hot rods on the valley roads today thanks to his expertise. There are people who live life to the fullest, but very few with Pop's contagious zest for life. He was always good for a laugh, through good times and bad. Although he liked to portray himself as a curmudgeon, a few of us were privy to his more sensitive side. He touched many lives in many ways and lives on in each of us. He will be sorely missed by all. To all of us, family, friends and race fans alike, the world is now a sadder place. But save us a spot up there, Pop, we'll see you again some day. "Ya Know It!" David is survived by his devoted wife Velma; his dear sisters, Norma and Wanda; his extraordinary children, Dennis, Donna and Darold; and three loving grandchildren Cory, D.J. and Kimberly. Visitation will be held at Boice Funeral Home on Thursday, January 25, 2007, from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at Boice Funeral Home on Friday, January 26, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. BOICE FUNERAL HOME308 Pollasky, Clovis 299-4372 Published in the Fresno Bee from 1/24/2007 - 1/31/2007. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Caddo County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/caddo/caddo.html