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8—THE GILMER MIRROR. Gilmer, Texas Feb. 10, 1972 (Continued from page 1) youth, he said at that time that he felt the town need ed a picture show, particu larly for its young people. He opened the Carol Drive-In Theater on Hwy. 271 in 1957 and operated it for the next ten years. Mr. Cox was known for his ‘generous gifts to his church, the First Baptist, to the county library and other worthwhile civic ventures. He took an active role in supporting the Yamboree and as president of the Gil mer Chamber of Commerce in 1950 he and other busi nessmen were instrumental in getting the State High way Department to build what is now Hwy. 155 from Gilmer toward Lone Star Steel Co. so that the county might benefit economically from new jobs at the plant. Rotary Charter Member Mr Cox was a charter member of the Gilmer Rotary Club, founded on May 6,1925, and served as its president. He was elected governor of the 188th district in the summer of 1950, and in 1964 he was named an Honorary Fellow of the Rotary Foundation for his long service to the branch of Rotary that sends graduate students abroad to study at colleges in other lands. As chairman of the Gilmer Club’s Rotary Foundation committee he inspired efforts that brought the local club into many times more than 100 per cent support of the program. During the ‘1950’s he and his son, C. H. Cox Jr., added the Gilmer Dairy Queen to their family enterprises. He was a member of Gil mer Bethesda Masonic Lodge, a 32nd degree Mason and a member of ‘Hella Temple Shrine. During his tenure as presi dent of the Gilmer School Board the gymnasium at Gilmer Intermediate School —then Gilmer High School— was built. First Senior Citizen Mr. Cox’s many contribu tions were recognized — in 1966 when he was designat ed as the first person to re ceive the honor of Senior Citizen of Upshur County. Mr. Cox married the former Miss Effie Farmer at Grand Saline in 1912 and she preceded him in death two years ago. He also was preceded in death by a daughter, Mrs. Mary Jo Shepperd, and two grand sons, Mike Shepperd and Hall Cox. Surviving are his son, C. H. Cox Jr., Gilmer; a daugh ter, Mrs. Virginia Ann Joyce, Fort Worth; three sisters, Mrs. Zola Terry, Lamesa; Mrs. Ruth Gal loway, Mansfield, and Mrs. Flora Slaughter, Edgewood; a brother, J. L. Cox, Fort Worth, three grandchildren and three great-grandchild ren. The Rev. O. D. Oliver of ficiated at the funeral ser vices, held Monday after noon, before a large gather ing at the First Baptist Church. The Rotary emblem, done in gold and blue flowers, and provided by Gilmer Rotary Club, stood above the casket. Mrs. Virginia Jones sang “In the Sweet Bye and Bye,” and “When They Ring Those Golden Bells.” Mr. Oliver read a favorite poem of Mr. Cox’s “The Crossing of the Bar.” He said most everyone at tending had their life shaped or touched in some way as a result of the life of Cran fill Cox, and “everyone of you had a special story you can tell about him that touched you or some kind ness he displayed.” “He could laugh about both his successes and his failures.” Mr. Oliver said it was refreshing to see those like Mr. Cox who contribu ted to those around him in a meaningful way, and help people so that their lives be came greater. “I heard someone say Sunday that the world be came poorer when Mr. Cox left the scene, and I believe that wholeheartedly.” ‘Mr. Oliver said the Cox family were an inspiration for all are leading meaningful lives, and Mr. Cox was their leader. He noted that Mr. Cox was considered dean of the Rotary Club here and his name in this area “almost synonymous” with the Ro tary Foundation for students, “since he did so much’ for the Foundation. In closing Mr. Oliver read the Rotary Four-Way Test, and said this could summa rize the life of Mr. Cox. The Rev. Verlon Feller read two selection of Scrip ture, the 23rd Psalm and the 25-26 verses of the 11th Chapter of John, and led a prayer. He provided a per sonal note about the Coxes, recalling that his family re ceived a pot plant gift from them upon his arrival in Gilmer. “It was one of the kindest welcomes we've re ceived anywhere.” Burial was at Gilmer City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Tom Davis, Melvin Cross, Justin Kurtz, Richard Davis, Harry Aldredge, Royce Hudgins, Bruce Morris and Gordon Finney. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Rotary Club and Burr Porter, Bryant Cates, Jake Long and Thomas Cook. Croley Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. “I saw it in The Mirror.”
Newspaper Details
Gilmer Mirror
Gilmer, Texas, US
Thu, Feb 10, 1972
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Kimbrelyn A.
