Cecil Edward Cox

Cecil Edward Cox, 81, of rural Vinita, Oklahoma, retired educator and former resident of Owasso and Collinsville, Oklahoma, and Benbrook, Texas, died in Tulsa on May 21, 2025. He was born in Tulsa on October 25, 1943, the son of Ray Edward Cox and Nadine Catherine Ivers Cox. Grandparents were Silas Jasper Cox and Laura Isabelle Morrison Cox and John Wilson Ivers and Florence Mary Marshall Ivers.

The Cox family lived in rural Owasso for many years, and the children attended Owasso Public Schools from first grade through twelfth. Cecil Cox graduated from Owasso High School in 1961. He earned an associate’s degree at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College at Miami. At Oklahoma State University, he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in vocational agriculture in 1965 and later earned a master of science degree and completed coursework toward a doctoral degree in education. Cecil taught vocational agriculture and was Future Farmers of America sponsor at Westville, Owasso, Mannford, Vinita, and Collinsville high schools. He also taught science in Collinsville Public Schools and at Brewer High School in White Settlement, Texas. Cecil served in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

He married Janet Lee Hale Shoulders in Tulsa on June 12, 1992. They lived in Collinsville before moving to Texas and later to their country home in rural Vinita after their retirement from teaching.

Cecil was a lifetime member of the Future Farmers of America. He joined Owasso Lodge No. 297, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, where his father was a longtime member.

A 32nd-degree Mason in good standing in the Grand Lodge of Texas, Cecil was raised a Master Mason in Ridglea Lodge #1341. He was a member of Moslah Shrine in Fort Worth, where he participated in the award-winning Bedouin Shrine Oriental Band.

He was also a member of Fort Worth Elks Lodge #124 and Vinita Community Church.

He and Janet spent many evenings enjoying their favorite pastime, dancing the night away. He loved traveling with friends.

Survivors are sister Cathy Cox Grammer and Mallie M. Norton; sister Nina Cox Eccles and John R. Eccles; brother-in-law Joe Hale and Judy Hale; four nephews, Brian Duncan and Holly Duncan, Jared Grammer and Marleitta Grammer, Heath Grammer and Jessica Grammer, and John Ray Eccles and Rachel Eccles; two nieces, Renée Duncan Denktas and Bulend Denktas and Cassondra Eccles Pierce and Jason Pierce; two stepsons, Cody Shoulders and Jennifer Shoulders and Kelly Shoulders and Michelle Shoulders; three stepgrandchildren, Tiffany, Andrew, and Ava Shoulders. Also surviving are four paternal first cousins and five maternal first cousins.

Preceding Cecil in death were his wife, Janet Lee Cox, on August 30, 2024; one sister, Raydean Cox Curteman, on August 22, 2021; and his parents, grandparents, three aunts, ten uncles, and ten first cousins.

Visitation will be held at Vinita Community Church from 5 to 7 p.m. May 27. A graveside service will be held at Carselowey Cemetery in Craig County, Oklahoma, at 10 a.m. May 28.

Memorial donations may be made to Compassus Hospice Care, 35904 South Highway 82, Vinita, Oklahoma 74301, or to Porta Caeli House, 2420 North Harvard Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74115.

Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemoriesvinita.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita. “Family owned. Locally operated.”