Orlis Cox remembered as tough leader and fair mentor
Orlis Cox, longtime Ottawa educator and first Ottawa Recreation Director, shaped hundreds through 41 years at Ottawa High School and 25 years directing recreation. Known for discipline, strength, and charity, he stood against segregation and policy of his era, guiding the community through Brown v. Board and polio.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Robert Epps
Iola
Orlis Cox
Cox
Epps
Orlis
Ottawa
Elk City
Ottawa High School
Ottawa Recreation Commission
Jim Grogan
Brad O'Dea
The
ORC
Mr. Cox
University of Kansas
O’dea
Brown
Recommission: Arts complex could grow larger in future
Ottawa Recreation Commission discusses Orlis Cox Sports Complex upgrades on Ottawa's north side including a new shelter house and possible west parking lot paving. Work could begin after city approval and structural engineering clearance. future expansion may be needed due to intermodal growth and riverfront land constraints.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ottawa
Richard Jackson
Babe Ruth
Orlis Cox
Jodie Garcia
Ottawa Recreation Commission Board
North Side
Ottawa Recreation Commission Birth Elevates Local Community
A modest 1940s summer recreation program grew into a pivotal Ottawa organization. In 1947 seven athletic directors and coaches urged Kansas lawmakers to fund recreation taxes, sparking a statewide search for ideas that inspired the Ottawa Recreation Commission.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ottawa Recreation Commission
Kansas
Ottawa
ORC
Remembering Orris Cox and Ottawa Recreation Commission
In Ottawa and Franklin County the history of modern recreation unfolds with Orris Cox’s memory and the Ottawa Recreation Commission. The piece highlights early sponsored summer activities and the growth of organized youth programs from a pool, tennis and baseball to football and basketball through the 1950s and 1960s.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ottawa
Franklin County
Orris Cox
Ottawa Recreation Commission
Murder suspect worked in Ottawa briefly
Edwin Hall, 26, of Olathe, charged with kidnapping and first degree murder in the Kelsey Smith case, briefly worked at Ottawa's American Eagle Outfitters distribution center for fewer than 10 days. A Encore Staffing rep said Hall was assigned to the Ottawa facility briefly and previously employed by Encore with details not disclosed. Hall is held on $5 million bond in Johnson County awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 15.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jodie Garcia
Herald
Olathe
Kelsey Smith
Target Store
Ottawa
Edwin R. Hall
American Eagle Outfitters
Encore
Overland Park Temporary Services Agency
Malinda Reynolds
Hall
Edwin Hall
Johnson County
Smith
Paul Cramm
Peter V. Ruddick
Cramm
Ruddick
Greg
Missey Smith
Smiths
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ottawa Recreation
Gina Dearling
Franklin County Historical Society
Tommy Sink
Adam Lynch
Orlis Cox Complex
Gardner
William Allison Hara
Tal
Aya
Maria Sudekum Fisher
Kelsey
Phill Kline
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!