David Ray Cox (71) of St. Elmo

David Ray Cox, age 71, of St. Elmo, Illinois passed away at 8:25 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Cremation rights will be observed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Elmo American Legion Post #420, St. Elmo Lions Club, Brownstown VFW Post #9770, or donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed by clicking here.

David was born on March 8, 1948, the son of Mortimer C. and Mary E. (McKee) Cox at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He married Peggy Ann Tipsword of Altamont, Illinois on December 16, 1967 at the United Methodist Church in Shumway, Illinois. David entered the United States Air Force after graduating from Beecher City high school and was stationed at Scott Air Force Base until 1967. He was then stationed at Phan Rang Air Force Base in Vietnam as a medic from 1969 to 1970. David graduated college in 1973 and started teaching school in Idabel, Oklahoma on August 15, 1973 and taught for two years. He then moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and taught at the Catoosa Christian Academy from 1975 to 1986. From 1986 to 1987, he was a pastor at the Oakdale Assemble of God Church in Wann, Oklahoma. He moved back to Illinois and taught school in South Roxana, Illinois for two years. He later moved back to Tulsa, Oklahoma and taught for three years before he retired from teaching and worked for the United State Postal Service before retiring in 2010 and moving to St. Elmo, Illinois. David was a member of the Assembly of God Church in St. Elmo, Illinois, Full Gospel Ministries Association, Inc. of Paducah, Kentucky, St. Elmo American Legion Post #420, St Elmo Lion Club, Brownstown VFW Post #9770, and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 7 of Effingham, Illinois. He enjoyed helping people, woodworking, fishing, canoeing, and playing piano.

David is survived by his wife, Peggy A Cox of St. Elmo, Illinois; one son, David Wayne Cox of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; two daughters, Cynthia Dawn KingBorrell of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Carrie Denise Cox of St. Elmo, Illinois; two brothers, Charles A Cox (wife Linda) of Harrisonville, Missouri, and Wayne L. Cox of Effingham, Illinois; one sister, Carol Ann Comer (husband Randy) of Kinmundy, Illinois; five grandchildren, Zachariah, Halle’ DaNae, Micah, Matthew, and Garry.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Mortimore and Mary Cox; one grandson, Caleb Matthew.