Obituary: Larry Edward Cox

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory​.

Larry Edward Cox

Larry Edward Cox, age 72, of Rotan, TX and Gold Canyon, AZ passed away on October 30^th 2026, at his home in Rotan. Larry was born on July 14, 1954, in Eldorado, IL to the late Clydus and Helen Cox.Larry later moved to Joliet and he eventually settled in Elwood, where he would make his home until retirement.

Larry built a career he was incredibly proud of as an electrician with IBEW Local 176, retiring in 2010. He took tremendous pride in his work, his union, and especially reaching the remarkable milestone of 50 years with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.Even in retirement, that pride never faded. Whenever Larry spotted a building he had worked on, he proudly pointed it out, often adding a little good-natured advice about avoiding the ones that weren’t built union. He never stopped being a proud union man.

A lifelong sports fan, Larry could happily spend an entire weekend watching college football and always looked forward to the excitement of March Madness.

His love for the Chicago Cubs lasted a lifetime, making his recent visit to Wrigley Field to watch them play even more meaningful and a special memory.

Larry made the most of his retirement, staying active in softball and golf leagues and enjoying the friendships and memories that came with them. Golf held a special place in his heart, especially during the time he spent in Arizona.

Larry loved everything about Arizona, from the warm sunshine to the beauty of Superstition Mountain, which he proudly considered “his” mountain. His love for the West extended to the books he read and the cowboy movies he enjoyed, especially those starring his favorite cowboy, John Wayne. One of John Wayne’s sayings, “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway,” captured Larry’s spirit perfectly. He faced life, and ultimately its end, with that same quiet courage, strength, and determination.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lorraine (Kelly) Cox; their children, Joshua Cox, Jeremy (Emily) Cox, and Jacob (Miranda) Cox; the memory of his first wife, Shelia Pinkson Cox; their children, Saraya Bibian (Gerardo) and Michael (Jodi) Cox.He also leaves behind nine grandchildren, Ava, Henry, Lorenzo, Macie (John), Makenzie, Marco, Parker, Paxton, and Piper (Logan).Siblings, Cheryl Kelley of Sweetwater, TX, Carol (Keith) Fowler of Bentonville, AR, Gary (Jamie) Cox of Gardner, IL, Steven Cox of Joliet, IL along with a host of loving relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clydus and Helen Cox; his first wife, Shelia Pinkston Cox; sister, Shelia Rae Duckmanton; and brother, Terry Cox.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Larry’s name can be made to www.cancer.org.

A Memorial Gathering for Larry Edward Cox will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. in Joliet, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a Celebration of Life Service to take place at 6:30 p.m. Per Larry’s request, cremation rites have been accorded.

For information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit Larry’s Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com, where you may share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.

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