In Memory of

Eddie

Van

Cox

Obituary for Eddie Van Cox

Born March 1, 1958 to Jim and Barbara Cox. Eddie graduated from Capitol Hill High School 1976, Oklahoma City Community College 2006 and University of Oklahoma 2007. As a former member of American Coaster Enthusiasts, Eddie loved to ride roller coasters. His favorite was the Viper at Six Flags Magic Mountain outside of LA. Eddie was an Eagle Scout, had numerous tattoos (26) which represent what he enjoyed and loved: Star Wars, Yogi Bear, Harley-Davidson, Marilyn Monroe, his children and their spouses, and his favorite TV shows. He enjoyed riding his Harley and participating in poker runs (former member of the Downed Bikers Association). Eddie was a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying when he was able. He was an avid OU football fan ever since his father took him to see Steve Owens play. He was a current season ticket holder with his son, Jim. He was an even bigger fan of ice hockey. He started playing hockey at eight years old. He played hockey until he was almost 18 and then played in the men’s league for six more years in his late 20s and early 30s. Eddie was a big Boston Bruin’s fan. Later in life, he tried to see the Bruins play every year by going to Boston or catching them somewhere else like Dallas, New Jersey, or St. Louis. He loved Italy and at age 50, he checked Italy off of his bucket list. Other bucket list items completed were visiting Boston, Cedar Point, Tombstone, and Philadelphia for the Ben Franklin Museum. In recent years, he added several more things to his bucket list that remain: Barbados Sandals Resort, Polar Bear City in Churchill, Manitoba – Canada, Mardi Gras Carnival Cruise line ship to ride its roller coaster, Italy again, and Germany to visit numerous World War II locations. He was a stanch conservative, except for a few social issues, and thought President Reagan was the greatest president of modern time. He enjoyed reading Tom Clancy and Vince Flynn novels. He was World War II history buff as well as a big fan of Marilyn Monroe. He was an active member of the Associated Builders & Contractors both nationally and locally, serving as chapter president in 1987. Eddie had a hand in building projects in Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Some of the projects that he was proud of were Edmond Public High School’s Live Stock Barns, Edmond Memorial High School Track Building, Midwest City High School Baseball Facility, Midwest Industrial Park, Mathis Brothers Furniture Showroom and several projects on Tinker AFB. HGL Construction won an award in 2014 from the AGC for Eddie’s Renovate Research Building 19 Project at the VAMC in Oklahoma City. Eddie was also very proud of the underground home that he designed, built and lived in when his kids were little. Eddie was married and divorced three times. After the third, he decided he was not suited for marriage and stayed single for the rest of his life. He was always on the lookout for that special person who could accept him as the special person he was. Eddie did have a good relationship with his children’s mother, Karen. Even after they split up, Eddie knew Karen would always be a wonderful and caring mother to his children. Eddie was fortunate that Sarah and Jim both married wonderful spouses. Both couples have given Eddie wonderful grandkids. Eddie loved his pets too, and his latest was Tyson (Red Nosed Pitbull). Eddie was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents EV & Jewel Cox, his grandpa Ed Cummings, Marie Cummings, plus several uncles and aunts, his mother Barbara Cox, his father Jimmie E. Cox, his nephew Jason Mathis, and his youngest daughter Emerald Dae Cox. Eddie is survived by his sister Cindy Mathis and brother-in-law, Dale Mathis of Oklahoma City, OK, nephew, Brandon Mathis of St Peters, MO; daughter, Sarah Weber and son-in-law, Nathan Weber of Edmond, OK and grandchildren, Caleb and Brooklyn; son, Jim Cox and daughter-in-law, Shawna Cox of Luther, OK, and grandson, Theron. There will be a celebration of life for Eddie at a later date this summer. If you would like to make a donation for Eddie, please consider the American Diabetes Association or Parent Promise of Oklahoma City.