Dean Cox

Oliver Dean Cox was born November 16, 1937 in Ink, Missouri to Oliver and Alta (Williams) Cox and passed away on June 5, 2020 in Eminence, Missouri at the age of 82.

Dean grew up and spent most of his life raising cattle on the family farm in the Ink community. He graduated from Eminence High School in 1956. Following high school he went to work for McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis. In 1959 Dean enlisted in the United States Army and was sent to Korea aboard a ship while the oceans were very rough. He faithfully served his country and was honorably discharged in 1961. Following his service he worked in construction in Jefferson City and St. Louis.

Dean served as the Northern District Commissioner for Shannon County for 20 years. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Eminence.

He enjoyed gardening and working on the farm with his son Bill. Dean loved to hunt, especially elk hunting in the mountains of Colorado. He also enjoyed deer hunting and taking the boys squirrel hunting. Dean also liked to ride horses and always claimed to be the best rider in the family! He also had a sweet tooth for chocolate, especially the fudge that Dena always made him for his birthday.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Alta Cox; a brother, Freeman Cox and sisters, Eunice (Cox) Swiney and Mary Lou (Cox) Jones.

Dean is survived by his daughter, Dena Keeling and her husband Steve; son, Bill Cox and his wife June; grandchildren, Dr. Casey Keeling, Dr. Kelsey Keeling-Milbank and her husband Sean, Cole Keeling, Alex Cox, Anna Cox and Patrick Cox; a brother T.F. Cox and his wife Joy; a sister-in-law, Eveline Cox as well as many other family members and friends.

Dean will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society in Dean's Memory.