John Paul Cox

John Paul Cox, age 80, of Okolona died Sunday, February 5, 2017, at home. He was born July 8, 1936, to the late Carmie C. Cox and Willie Rowe Cox. Paul was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He graduated from Okolona High School in 1954. He was in the cattle business his entire life, and owned livestock auction barns in Mt. Ida, Arkadelphia, and Nashville. He enjoyed tending his cows and was a true cattleman; playing with his bulldogs, and watching live cattle auctions at home. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Joe Cox and Lloyd Franklin Cox. Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Tammy Wedsted Cox of Okolona: a brother Larry Cox (Kathy); sister-in-law, Veda Cox; one son, Paul Franklin Cox, Jr. (Carla) of Curtis; one daughter, Gina Johnson of Arkadelphia; four grandchildren: Ashley Cox (Billy), Gus Cox, Jeffery Johnson, and Heston Cox; numerous extended family and a host of friends. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 8, 2017 from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. A Memorial service will be at 3:30 p.m. in the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Travis Langley and Pastor Andrew Orr officiating. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church (Pat Gaylord, 7719 Hwy 51S, Okolona, Ark. 71962) or Mt. Zion Cemetery Fund (Paula Rowe, 227 Deceiper Rd., Arkadelphia, Ark. 71923). Sign Paul's online guest book at www.ruggleswilcox.com.