John Lee Cox was born on January 11, 1937, and he went to heaven on October 10, 2023 at home. The number 10 represents perfection and completion in the Bible, so according to God, 10/10 was the perfect day to complete his life! But he left a lot of life and loved ones behind. He and his younger brother, Robert William, were the sons of Obert T. and Anna Marie Cox. John was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma and moved to Tulsa when he was five. He graduated from Tulsa Central High in 1955, and for graduation he received a big red bassoon, which he loved playing for the rest of his life in the Tulsa Community Band. He graduated from Tulsa University with a Master's degree in physics and math, and he loved watching science and math tutorials for entertainment! He was a Major in the Air Force, doing his tour of duty at the Pentagon. He retired from American Airlines and Saber working in Computer Programming. Playing chess was his favorite sport, and he played it anywhere and with anyone he could find. Discovering ballroom dancing in his early adult years, it soon became a passion which would follow him into retirement. With his dance-partner wife, Marilyn, of 27 years, he has won much recognition and many prizes. He did most of his dancing at the Elks Lodge in Tulsa, where he was an officer for 25 years.

His first wife of 35 years, Sharon Doris Cox, died earlier this year. He leaves behind two daughters by that marriage, Vicki McClain and husband, Troy, and Rebecca Speck and husband, Steven. His grandchildren Kevin McClain and wife, Lindsey; Kyle McClain and wife, Desiree; Randie Sanders and husband, Mark; and Jordan Speck. And John has seven great grandchildren: Jace Sanders, Ryker Sanders, Zoe Sanders, Autumn McClain, Aubree Currier, Tatum McClain, and Brooks McClain. He also has surviving stepchildren, Scott Stilley, and Krista Goodnight and her husband, Jack, and their girls, Miranda and Erin who love him very much. He will be much missed by the Elks and by the band and by his large family.

Graveside Services at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023, at 10 AM.

Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151