Larry Cox

Larry E. Cox, 78 born December 06, 1946, to Francis Byron (Dick) Cox and Velma (Little) Cox, passed from this world to his heavenly home on February 01, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO, following an extended illness. Larry spent his last days surrounded by his loved ones.
Larry grew up to manhood at his childhood home in Boaz, MO. He attended Clever Public Schools for 12 years, graduating in 1964. After attending Springfield Technical College and working for a few months, Larry joined the U.S. Army in March 1966. He served from November 1966 to November 1967 in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge from the military in March of 1969, Larry attended Southwest Missouri State College and graduated with honors in 1972. His first post-college job was with Burroughs Computers in Springfield, MO. After Burroughs, he spent a long, successful career in the computer field. In 1979 Larry started working with Springfield Computer Consultants and was very instrumental in creating the original ACCESS banking package. Larry worked at many of the banks in the surrounding states but was very dedicated to the banks in the Caribbean. He later worked for 1st Home Savings Bank, now Stockmans, for 3 years before retiring. Near the end of his career, he moved back to his childhood home to care for his father during his declining years. He remained there until his final illness.
In 1967, after returning from Vietnam, he married his high school sweetheart, Jane Hall, and they spent 12 years as man and wife, before divorcing in 1980. They remained close friends and confidants; she was by his side when he passed away.
In 1988 he married Debra Strain and to this union one son, John Cody Cox, was born, prior to their separation in 1995. They successfully co-parented their son from that time forward.
Larry had one more love in his life, his 1967 Pontiac GTO. They were a matching pair. That was a twosome for the ages. He belonged to several classic and muscle car clubs and enjoyed driving to any shows around the area to show off to other members who felt the same about their own cars.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Wayne, sister-in-law Ruth Ann Cox and one stepson Christopher Ambrose.
He is survived by his son, John Cody Cox and his significant other, Samantha Bookout, his brother Francis Byron Cox Jr., stepson Josh Parris and wife Elle, stepdaughter-in-law Kerrie Ambrose; four step grandchildren; sister-in-law Eileen Cox, nieces, nephews and countless friends, including his faithful neighbor Jeanne Fiore, who cared for him without ceasing through his final illness, as well as devoted longtime friends Bob and Linda Rader.