Memorial services for Van Ray Cox, 77, of Livingston, Texas, will be held Monday, February 13, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with his dear friend, Stonewall Jackson, officiating.

Van Ray Cox, 77, died Saturday, February 11, 2017 in Livingston, Texas. He was born to Van Zannie Cox and Rotha Poland Cox on March 13, 1939 in Houston, Texas. His last moments were spent doing what he loved taxiing down the runway on his way to heaven surrounded by family and friends he loved and who dearly loved him.

He was a member of the Livingston Volunteer Fire Department Dive Team #27 from August 1970 until March 1977 and served as Dive Captain #2 from 1971 – 1977. His memories from those years were the close bonds he formed with Dive Team members and helping to bring closure and some comfort to families devastated by the loss of a loved one.

Van loved fishing and racing competing in modified sprint car, boat, motorcycle, RC car racing. He was an avid NASCAR fan.

Van was preceded in death by his parents, Van and Rotha Cox, his father and mother in law, T. J. and Fannie Hendrix, and his sister, Donna Woessner. Survivors include his beloved wife, Glenda, his sister Janell Atkinson and her husband, Hollie, his children, Tina Cox Kowis and her husband Cash, and Vicki Woods and her husband Wesley, his grandchildren Cody Scifres and Patti Davila, April Kowis Thomson and husband Scott, Grady Woods and wife Jennifer, Melisa Kowis and Derek Miller, Travis Coleman and Katie Smith, and Taylor Kowis, and great grandchildren, Braiden Burnett, Wade Woods, Aubrey Thomson and Brooke Thomson.

Honorary Pall Bearers were members of the ARF (Always Ready to Fly) RC Club, Livingston Volunteer Fire Department, and his morning coffee buddies.

Donations in Van's memory can be made to his favorite place. Checks should be made out to the ARF RC Club and mailed to Larkin Buechmann, 174 West Paradise Drive, Trinity, Texas 75862.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .