Gary Wayne Cox, age 73, of Strafford, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at home, surrounded by loved ones.

Gary was born on July 23, 1953, in Springfield, Missouri, to James Paul Cox Sr. and Christa Marie (Lambeth) Cox. He graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1971. Gary was united in marriage to Anna “Anne” Marie (Brown) Cox for 51 years before her untimely passing on July 4, 2023.

The couple were blessed with a godson, Sean Wood; children, Lore (Cox) Robeson, Emily Harris, Timothy Hamp, and Ashley (Wilson) Hamp; and granddaughters, Callie and Clara Hamp.

Gary dedicated 35 years of his life to his work as an electrician with Southwestern Power Administration, taking pride in all he did. He began his career as a journeyman with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, starting as an apprentice and helping build places like the John Q. Hammons Basketball Arena and the Ferrell-Duncan buildings. Through his work, he left a lasting mark on the community and was known for his steady hands and strong work ethic.

In his personal life, Gary found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He was an avid movie buff and loved building things with his hands—even constructing several houses over the years. Music, however, was his greatest passion. He spent many happy hours playing the guitar and piano, and it was through music that he met the love of his life, Anne, while singing in the Sing Out Choir. Gary will be remembered for his easy humor, his love of telling jokes, and the way he could make others smile. More than anything, he will be remembered for his kindness and for always being there when someone needed him.

Gary was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Anne; his parents, James and Christa Cox; his sister, Susan (Cox) Mabe; his stepmother, Alleen (Pearce) Cox; his aunt, Deborah Lambeth; and his cousin, Gary Sahmel.

He is survived by his godson, Sean Wood; his children, Lore Robeson, Emily Harris, and Timothy Hamp; his daughter-in-law, Ashley Hamp; his granddaughters, Callie and Clara Hamp; his brother, James “Jim” Paul Cox Jr.; his sister-in-law, Nancy (Weeks) Cox; his nieces, Elizabeth Page, Amy Hoffman, and Janis Michelle Ellis; his nephews, Jeff Cox and Daniel Mabe; his brother-in-law, Terry Mabe; his uncle, Forrest “Sonny” Lambeth and spouse, Jane Lambeth; their children, Jennifer Sahmel, James “Jim” Lambeth, and Jonathan Lambeth; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

A visitation for Gary will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield. A funeral service honoring Gary’s life will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home North, with burial to follow at Mount Comfort Cemetery in Fair Grove, Missouri.

The family requests that donations be made in Gary’s memory to the Missouri Kidney Foundation.

His care has been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home North.