Johnnie Dale Cox, age 95, of Taylor, formerly Bangs, passed peacefully on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. His daughter, Loma, was by his side singing Amazing Grace when he took his final breath. He was preceded in death by wife, Ruth Margene Kent Cox, parents, Hollie M. Cox and Ada Agnes Chappell Cox, brother, Clyde Cox (Charlotte), brother, Carl Cox (Alyne), sister Allie Molton (Tex), sister, Ila Mae Allison (Junior), nephews Morris Collier and Dennis Molton, nieces Carlyne Leos (Nick), Janela Burr (Jeff), and Phyllis Haas.
Johnnie was born in San Jon, New Mexico. He moved with his family to Bangs, Texas, at a young age, where they purchased a 300 acre farm. He learned how to drive a tractor at the age of 5, and a manual transmission car not long after. He graduated from Bangs High School in 1948. He joined the Navy in 1949 and served in the Korean War on the USS Skagit. He proposed to the love of his life before going on a single date with her over the phone. He and Margene were married while he was on leave in the navy. They spent a lot of time with their nieces and nephews. They even took Arthur Dale on their honeymoon. He went on to work at Halliburton from 1955 to 1985. He had many positions while there, including District Manager in Brownfield, Texas. Everyone that worked for or with Johnnie loved and respected him. He was a fair and kind leader. As his nephews, Arthur Dale, Mern, and Johnny Dale grew up, he got them started in the oilfield, as well. While living in Las Vegas, he was a great race car driver, winning many trophies. He enjoyed Kent family vacations every summer fishing and water skiing at Lake Buchanon. He and his brothers-in-law, Terry Kent and Bob Folkner enjoyed golfing together, while Kent and Loma found the golfballs far from the holes. Johnnie loved both his and Margene’s family and any opportunity to spend time with any of them.
Johnnie retired at 55 from Halliburton. He was ready to enjoy life at its fullest! He and Margene enjoyed traveling in their motorhome, including taking their grandsons, Dustin and Renden, on trips. He loved staying active in the community. He joined the Bangs Volunteer Fire Department. He served on the City Council in Bangs, offering valuable input and insight. He served as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Bangs. He and Andy Anderson were best of friends and worked with others, helping build the new church wing and did home and fence repairs in and around Bangs.
In 2015, Johnnie and Margene moved to Coupland to live with their daughter, Loma Cox and Bernie Smith. He loved running errands with Bernie and helping around the ranch. While living there, Johnnie and Loma joined Brushy Creek Baptist Church in Norman’s Crossing, where he enjoyed going regularly until he passed. He loved Pastor Keith’s sermons, all the hugs from many every Sunday, Pastor Dee’s history lessons in his sermons, and Pastor Mike’s jokes at the beginning of his.
Survivors include his daughter, Loma Cox (Bernie Smith), grandsons Dustin Homer (Jordan) and Renden Homer, granddaughters Raechel Smith, Erika Beitler (Thad), and Nicole Ortega (Ima), nephews Arthur Dale Cox (Gail), Mern Allison (Connie), Johnny Dale Allison (Susan), Sam Allison, nieces Sandra Seelig (Winford), Texie Perdue (Bob), Judy Collier, Jean Young (Ron), and many great grandkids.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Brushy Creek Baptist Church. The family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to Pastor Mike for always being the first to meet Loma at the ER, Mark and Maryanne Gold for visiting and keeping an eye on him, Judy Collier for being a wonderful source of support in the final days, and the Cox and Kent families for offering unwavering support.
The legacy he leaves behind is his unwavering faithfulness to God, his family and friends. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:5
Johnnie’s family will host a visitation on Monday, April 28th from 5 to 7:00 PM at Heartland Funeral Home in Early. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 29th at the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Bangs Cemetery with Military Honors.