In the early morning of Tuesday, March 30th, 2021, Cecil Otis Cox, an adoring husband and loving father of three children, left to be with his Lord and Savior at the young age of 67. And as it has become the family mantra, To God be the Glory.
Cecil was born on June 23rd, 1953 in Falfurrias, Texas to parents Ealey Eugene Cox and Dovie Lee Renfro. He served honorably in the United States Army with the 82nd Airborne from 1972-1975. He worked in construction for many years. In 1983, Cecil was called into the Ministry, where he spent the rest of his life loving, helping, teaching and guiding all that he could. He served as Pastor to two churches and served in many roles for the Southwest Texas Pentecostal Church of God district.
Cecil was a determined man and was a lifelong learner, even as he was teaching others. He went back to school in the prime of his life and earned a Business Management degree. He spent two years at Howard Payne University and then graduated from Texas State Technical College, he earned his place on the Dean’s List throughout his time in school and graduated in the top of his class and served as the Graduation Speaker. He used that degree to branch out and open his own business at the age of 61 with his lovely wife which shows his spirit of adventure. Cecil loved life, and he loved fishing, woodworking, gardening, chocolate milkshakes from Whataburger, floating the river with his kids and grandkids, and making EVERY holiday special for his family, and loved his Cowboys, win or lose.
Undeniably, his greatest impact in life is the legacy he left behind in his family. Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, Ealey Eugene Cox and Dovie Lee Campbell and his grandson, Byron Forsman. He is survived by the love of his life, Neda Pruitt Cox; sisters: Dovie Diann Daehn and Lovella Jean and husband, Joe Adams; and his children: Michelle and husband, Michael Hamlin; Marla and husband, Brad Winstead; and Allen and wife, Trina Cox; grandchildren: Shandi and husband, Vance McShan; Brendan and wife, Hope Forsman; Keomi and husband, Alex Rogers; Shelbi Winstead and fiancé, Levi Westerman; Stone Hamlin and fiancé, Laura Miles; Lexi and husband, Sam Ryan; Maecy Cox, Shyli Winstead, and Kyli Cox; great grandsons: Britton Westerman and Miles McShan; and countless others that have loved him dearly for all that he was and will continue to be.
We will be holding two events in which you are invited to choose from if you would like to join the family in honoring Cecil’s memory. On Friday, April 2nd, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 pm, we will be celebrating in a gathering with family and friends at the New Beginnings Church in Brownwood at 1001 Belle Plain Street. Also, on Saturday, April 10th, 2021, at 11:00 am, we will be holding a memorial service at Crossroads Church in Aransas Pass at 417 N. Houston Street. This will give us all a chance to follow in one of our favorite Cecil sayings to: “Shake hands and be friendly because you are friendly.”
