Clifford William Cox

1938 - 2025

Clifford William Cox, age 87, passed away on Nov. 10, 2025. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Clifford was born Feb. 4, 1938, in Willow Springs, Mo., to his parents, Glen and Thelma Cox. He graduated from Willow Springs High School in 1956 and served in the United States Navy from 1956-1960. When he returned home from the Navy, he met and married his lifelong love, Edna "Louise" Bradford. They began their nearly 65 year marriage on Dec. 28, 1960. Clifford and Louise raised four children together; Terry, David, Sharon and Stan. They lived in Mtn. Grove, Mo., for many years, then moved to West Plains, Mo., where they resided the rest of their lives.

Clifford worked his entire life for the telephone company, starting as what he referred to as a "weed wacker" and eventually working his way up to an Outside Plant Engineer.

Clifford was a talented guitar player and loved listening to bluegrass music. He could listen to a song and then pick the melody by ear. He could often be heard picking his guitar in the evening before bedtime. He and his wife Louise attended many Starvy Creek Bluegrass festivals together and these were shared as some of their most joyful memories.

Clifford was a devout Christian and attended Oak Lawn Church of God for many years. He and Louise would often play and sing gospel songs for the congregation.

Clifford loved football. Some of his favorite memories came from watching his sons play high school football for the West Plains Zizzers. He was so proud of them and talked about their best games his entire life. Not only was he a Zizzer fan, but he loved watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Mizzou Tigers. Clifford never missed a Chiefs game and as he grew older, you could count on him to wear his Chiefs shirts proudly and send all his adult children a "Go Chiefs!" text before each game.

Clifford was a proficient carpenter and electrician. He designed and built everything from wooden cradles for his grandbabies, to entire additions to his home.

Clifford and Louise loved gardening. They spent many summers tending to their huge garden so that they could enjoy fresh vegetables and share them with loved ones. Many people claimed that his tomatoes were the best they had ever eaten! Clifford lived on a small farm his entire life and raised cows, rabbits, chickens, guineas and pigs. He loved the outdoors and often took his sons hunting and fishing.

Later in life, Clifford loved to travel to South plantations and national parks. He was knowledgeable about many things and was a great resource for life's questions. He will be remembered as a quiet, gentle man who was kind to everyone he met.

Clifford is survived by his wife Louise Cox; two sisters Janice Gregory of Houston, Mo., and Glenda Verlander and her husband Tom of Republic, Mo.; his children Terry Cox and his wife Pam of Ft. Worth, Texas, David Cox and his wife Jeannie of West Plains, Sharon Chronister and her husband Greg of Kimberling City, Mo., and Stan Cox and his wife Jenny of Rogersville, Mo.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by parents Glen and Thelma Cox; six siblings Kenneth Cox, Ervin Cox, Larry Joe Cox, Grant Cox, Louise Simon and Wanda Chritton; and one grandson Zeb Cox.

Graveside services will be held at Clear Springs Cemetery, near Willow Springs, on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m. No visitation is planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Craig-Hurtt funeral home, Mtn. Grove.