Ira Clinton Cox

Ira Clinton Cox, 81, died on Thursday at the Walnut Ridge Nursing and Rehab. He was born on August 19, 1932 in Stanford to Leslie R. and Bernice A. Price Cox. He attended school at Beech Grove and Greene County Tech. Ira joined the military when he was 17 years old with his mother's permission. He left the military and moved to St. Louis, Mo where he met and married Anna Belle Watson on July 31, 1954. He later rejoined the U.S. Army. Ann had a son from a previous marriage and together they had three daughters. The family lived in Tacoma, Washington; El Paso, Texas; Paragould, Arkansas; Huntsville, Alabama; Baumholder, Germany and Carrizozo, New Mexico. Ira served two tours of duty in Korea. After retirement, Ira farmed and drove trucks as well as being and avid golfer, mall walker and pool player. He also enjoyed cards and board games. Ira was a member of Shiloh Methodist Church. Ira is preceded in death by his wife, Anna Belle Cox, mother, Bernice Griggry, father, Leslie Ray Cox, sisters, Clarissa Mae Cox and Dorothy Loretta Taylor, brother Lavelle “Dusty” Ray Cox and his grandson, Connor Lloyd Pearce. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Ann Cox; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Tami Huggins of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughters and sons-in-laws, Iris and Terry Pearce of Towanda, Kansas; Taunya and Reuben Smith of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Annette and Roger Wilson of Wynne, Arkansas; grandchildren, Jennifer Davido of Seattle, Washington; Carie Ann Thibault of Las Vegas, Nevada; Christa Eldridge of Jonesboro, Arkansas; Brody and Matthew Wilson of Wynne, Arkansas; Lily, Halie and Bethany Pearce of Towanda, kansas; great grandchildren, Finn and Mona Davido of Seattle, Washington; Abigail Thibault of Las Vegas, Nevada; Laney and Avery Clinton Eldridge of Bay, Arkansas. The family will receive friends from 6:30 - 8:30 PM today at Heath Funeral Home. His life will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday at Heath Colonial Chapel with Bro. Robert Cox officiating. Memorials may be sent to Shiloh Methodist Church of Jonesboro, American Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Association. Sign online guestbook at www.heathfuneralhome.com.