Charles Douglas Cox

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Charles Douglas Cox, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and neighbor, on Friday, September 12, 2025, at the age of 91.  He was known as Douglas to many and as "Doogie" to the generation before him. 


Born on April 29, 1934, Douglas was raised in a loving family on a farm in Evansville, AR where he learned the values of handwork, being honest, and love of farming.  He learned to drive at a very early age which fostered his love for driving, working on cars, and his love for speed.  In his teenage years, he and his friends would pile in his car "Geronimo" for a Saturday night.  Later in life, he drove a semi-truck, raced cars at  local race tracks winning several trophies, and drove all over the US delivering cars for local car dealerships.  


As a senior in high school, he earned extra money as a school bus driver.  On that bus there happened to be a girl on the route who would eventually be his wife, Gayle Reed.  After graduating, he worked wheat harvest in several states.  After coming back home, he and some high school friends moved to Wichita, KS where he worked for Boeing.  In 1956, he was drafted into the army and was stationed in Germany where he had the opportunity to travel a lot of Europe.  He was discharged in October 1958 then  married Gayle one month later in November.  In 1961 the newly weds purchased land near his parents' farm and built a home and life of farming including beef cattle, chickens, turkeys, hogs, and milking cows.  He also built and operated the gas station and store in Evansville for several years. 


He was a man who loved his wife, kids, and grandkids dearly and loved helping his neighbors and serving his community.  He was a handyman, fixing most anything around the farm and helping his neighbors with his skills.  He served on the school board, helped to get rural water to Evansville residents, and many other activities. He was a founding member of the Evansville Volunteer Fire Dept. where he retired after more than 25 years, serving many of those years as Fire Chief.  His favorite pastime was "loafing" with the guys at various downtown locations, first at Rex Denton's, then Cecil Shannon's, later at L.J. Caswell's shop, and lastly, at Pat Murphy's store. 


He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Luella Cox, his sister Anita Chester, his daughter-in-law Leslie Cox and his grandson Brandon Cox.  


He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Gayle Cox of Prairie Grove; his sister Karen Hobbs and husband Richard of Stilwell, OK; his daughter Diana Lewis and husband Jim of Lincoln; his son Barry Cox of Prairie Grove; his grandson Taylor Lewis and wife Loren of Springdale; his granddaughter Mattie Calvillo and husband Samuel of Springdale; his granddaughter Kelsey Cox of Prairie Grove; his granddaughter Ashley Cox of Denison, TX; his grandson Cameron Cox of Prairie Grove; and three great-grandchildren.