Lionel "Bob" Cox, age 90, passed away peacefully September 3rd, 2019, at his home with his wife, Betty Lou, (Louie) and special hospice nurse, Arla, by his side.
Bob was born November 26, 1928, in Woodruff, Utah to Leonard Henry Cox and Maud Dean Cox. He was the 8th of 9 children. His father gave all of the children nick names. Bob was given his name as an infant and was known by "Bob" his whole life. He was quite fond of his Woodruff home and his associations from his childhood. His father died of leukemia when Bob was four years old (in the middle of the depression) leaving his mother to raise the nine children. Bob adored his mother and often talked about her with admiration and reverence. Reminiscing about being raised by her he said, "my mother was told in her Patriarchal Blessing that she would never hear her children cry for want of bread, if she was true and faithful. The Lord was true to His promise and we never went hungry."
As a youth, he loved sports. He wrote, "I loved to play basketball almost more than life itself." His love of all sports lasted throughout his life.
He worked on farms and ranches and "learned to do many things that were required in those places of employment." He had some pretty humorous and sometimes enlightening stories about sheep. Maybe his skills and love of barbering began with the shearing of sheep.
He attended school (grades one through eight) in Woodruff, Utah. He was bused ten miles away to Randolph for grades nine through twelve. He graduated from South Rich High School in a class of 20. They were a close group and remained so.
Bob joined the Navy in 1948 and became an aircraft mechanic. He served four years in the Navy. Fourteen of those months were served in Japan. He said that it was in the Navy and through a good buddy of his that he became associated with the Gospel again.
In 1955 he entered Barber College and learned the profession that would occupy him for the remaining 32 years of his working life. He eventually opened "Bob's Barber Shop" in Magna Utah and cut hair, visited, and built friendships there until he retired. He fondly shared stories about the barber shop.
July 3rd , 1956 he married Vera Nielsen Rasmussen…mother of two sons, Allen and Bob Rasmussen in Evanston, Wyoming. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Magna. They enjoyed Magna and had many wonderful friends. In 1971, Bob and Vera were sealed in the Salt Lake temple. They had been married for 33 years when Vera passed away. He expressed how grateful he was for their many wonderful years together. They enjoyed family, working, taking care of their finely manicured yard, laughter, bowling, traveling (taking several cruises), and had a happy life. During that time, Bob served as a veil worker in the temple, served on the high council, served in various capacities in the Sunday School (Vera served as secretary for his Sunday School callings), served in a Bishopric and then as Bishop of their ward for four years.
After Vera's passing, Bob married his neighbor, Betty Lou (Louie) Fields Anderson……mother of six children, Ronald, Russell, Renee, Ronda, Rayla and Ryan. The man was not afraid of a challenge! Bob and Louie were married in the Jordan River Temple. Just as he loved Allen and Bob from his first marriage, he loved Louie's six children as his own (and we all loved him back). They have been married for 29 years.
Bob and Louie served 3 missions together; Nigeria, Philippines and a literacy mission at the Utah State Prison. They also served as temple workers for 23 years. Bob was ordained a sealer in 1996 and worked in that capacity for 21 years. It was extra special for many of the grandchildren to have their grandpa seal them to their spouses. Bob and Louie enjoyed traveling and visiting temples and children together. Theirs was a happy union.
Bob enjoyed golf, sheep, woodworking, BYU sports (and almost all sports really), reading (even the dictionary), collecting fun quotes and interesting articles to share, jokes and humor, yard work & gardening, singing in choir, playing harmonica, doing puzzles of all kinds, playing scrabble, traveling, family, and his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Bob seemed to know someone everywhere he went and had a smile for every person he greeted! He was a people person and genuinely enjoyed getting to know people and making friends. He was a light and a joy to be with.
He was a good story and joke teller….always having one ready to share. He was a great listener. He was approachable and lovable……he had kindness in his heart and soul. He made everyone feel special. He had a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Everyone loved Bob. We will miss him greatly.
Bob is survived by his wife and friend, Betty Lou (Louie) Cox; a daughter-in-law, Lara Rasmussen; his children: Bob Rasmussen, Ronald (Kari) Anderson, Russell (Fern) Anderson, Renee (Nick) Jackson, Ronda (Russell) Bishop, Rayla (Justin) Dee, and Ryan (Angie) Anderson; his sister, Ivy Peart; 30 grandchildren, and a whole slew of very loved great and great, great grandchildren.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard & Maud Cox; his wife, Vera Cox; seven siblings: Doris, Melvin, Leonard, Ellen, Shirley, Wilford and Delora; his son, Allen Rasmussen; and his grandson, Danny Rasmussen.
Special thanks to so many friends, neighbors, ward and family members (especially our sister, Rayla), who have been helping care for Bob and Louie this last year and longer. Also, special thanks to Arla at Intermountain Home Care and Hospice who made things so much easier for Bob (and Louie) in his decline.
Funeral services will be held Monday, September 9th, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at the Highland 2nd Ward Building located at 9800 S. Dunsinane Dr. (3845 West), South Jordan, UT. The family will receive friends at the
same address Sunday evening, September 8th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and Monday, September 9th from 9:00 – 10:45 prior to the service.
Interment will be at Valley View Memorial Park located at 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah
