Howard Newton Cox

Howard Newton Cox was born at home in Blanco, Texas January 26, 1934. He departed this life peacefully on February 11, 2015 at the age of 81. Howard was the youngest of five children born to Andrew Marion and Mary Elizabeth (Price) Cox. Howard married Dolores Sue Dittrich on May 11, 1955. They lived and raised their six children moving to many towns across Texas where Howard worked paving roads. They finally settled back in Blanco in 1963 where they built a home on the Cox family property on Cox Road. Howard worked for several paving construction companies such as H.B. Zachary, Cage Brothers, C.H. Allison Construction, Cecil Ruby, and more. Everything Howard learned working for paving contractors gave him the desire to go into business for himself. With a 9th grade education, Howard began his own paving company, Cox Paving, in 1967. Cox Paving was one of the first companies in the United States to champion the advantages of blending rubber crumb into asphalt. The company started out as a small family business dedicated to the production of high-quality road surfaces, but 19 years later in 1984 the company's focus changed from conventional asphalt paving to the area of hot asphalt rubber paving. Because of his expertise in the production and application of asphalt rubber anywhere from residential areas to airport runways, and all the highways between, Howard wisely decided to expand the company's line of products and services. In 2003 he launched D & H Equipment which specializes in the manufacturing of asphalt rubber blenders, reaction tanks and other asphalt equipment built to customers' specifications. D&H has sold equipment all over the world as more and more countries learn of the benefits of integrating asphalt rubber into projects. Howard even put Dolores to work in the businesses. She not only picked up parts for the crew, she also worked on the jobsites performing many tasks. At one time or another every one of his six children worked at Cox Paving. His daughters even worked on the road crew as flaggers. Today both businesses are going strong and being operated by his sons, Sidney and Andy. While he always put work first, Howard enjoyed family and friends, and loved spending time on the Cox family property known as "the cove." Howard treasured his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In 1968, while paving roads all over Texas, Howard snuck off to Belize, Central America (which was then British Honduras). He loved Belize and became involved in several businesses, including logging, saw mill, rice farming, citrus orchards, cattle ranching, and growing tropical flowers for import to the USA. In Texas, he started CX Cattle Company which included several cattle ranches in East Texas. Howard and Dolores loved to travel and vacation all over the world. They visited New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Germany, Fiji, Hawaii, Jamaica, Mexico, and many Caribbean islands. Howard was active in the community of Blanco as a contributor to Yett Park, the Rodeo Association, Twin Sisters Dance Hall, Blanco Little League, Blanco EMS, and Blanco VFD. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Curtis Cox, sisters Audrey Weber, Parge Marostica, and Jean Stanley. Also preceding him in death was his son, Randolph Stephen Cox. Howard is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Dolores; sons: Howard Sidney Cox and wife Connie, Andrew Tillman Cox and wife Holli; daughters: Lynda Kay Baumgartner and husband Llano, Lydia Sue Bledsoe and husband Doug, Allison Janyne Klein and husband Toben; 19 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Crofts-Crow Funeral Home in Blanco Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 4:00 pm-6:00 pm. Graveside services and burial will be at the Cox Cemetery on Cox Road in Blanco at 10:00 am Monday, February 16, 2015. All are invited to celebrate Howard's life and accomplishments at the home of Lynda and Llano Baumgartner after the service (316 Go Away Lane, Blanco). There will be barbeque and beer at Howard's request. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the charity of your choice