Dr. Robert Cox

Dr. Robert Lee Cox Sr., 76, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Sept. 28, 2007, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born Oct. 26, 1930, in Harrisburg, Ark., son of Joseph William and Winifred Howard Cox. He and Betty L. Scott were married June 3, 1956, in Mound City, Kan.

Cox was a graduate of Little Rock, Ark., High School. He received a bachelor of science degree and a master's degree in education from Kansas State College in Pittsburg, and a doctorate of education degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953, and was an X-ray technician in a hospital during the Korean conflict.

Cox has lived in Cape Girardeau since 1964, moving from Chanute, Kan. He came to Southeast Missouri State University to develop and organize a production and printing program. He was professor of the Industrial Technology Department 27 years, served as department chairman six years, retiring in 1991.

He previously taught at Altamont, Kan., High School and Chanute High School and Junior College.

Cox was a member of Illmo Baptist Church in Scott City, and was minister of music at Illmo Baptist and Red Star Baptist in Cape Girardeau. He was active in the Charleston Baptist Association, was ordained a deacon at First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, directed the Baptist Student Union Choir on the Southeast campus from 1970 to 1985. (All former BSU Choir members are invited to gather and sing at the funeral service).

He was a member of several professional organizations, serving as national president of Iota Lambda Sigma and International Graphic Arts Educational Association.

Cox served on the executive board of the Missouri Baptist Convention and the Word and Way Committee.

Survivors include his wife, Betty L. Cox of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Robert L. (Janie) Cox Jr. of Jackson, Scott D. Cox of Columbia, Mo.; daughter-in-law, Debbie Cox of Scott City; five grandchildren, Jordan Cox, Jason Cox, Sarah Pruden, Neil Sanders, Lisa Sanford; four great-grandchildren, Lance Pruden, Trent Pruden, Joseph Sanders and Megan Sanders.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Charles W. Cox, and a brother, Dick Cox.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church, with the Revs. Bob Herring and Jack Bishop officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park, with full military rites by Missouri Honor Team.

Memorials may be made to Dr. Robert L. Cox Memorial Scholarship in Industrial Technology.