Harold Lee Cox

Harold Lee Cox was born October 30, 1933 in Brightwater, Arkansas. He was the only child of Jesse Maurice and Iva Marie Cox. Harold moved with his family at the age of ten to Cleveland, Oklahoma where he was raised and attended school, graduating from Cleveland High School in 1952. While in high school, Harold was a letterman in football, basketball and track. He was a member of the 1951 Oklahoma State Champion Track team. Harold was the state champion in the 440 yard dash and was also a member of the state champion 880 yard relay team. He was also a member of perhaps the best Tiger Track team in history in 1952, when they won meets at Oklahoma Baptist University, Central State College, their conference and regional championships and finally repeated as State Champions in a meet at Stillwater.

Although Harold was awaded a track scholarship to Oklahoma A&M, shortly after graduation, Harold enlisted into the service of his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He served as a flight engineer during his enlistment which instilled in him the desire to become a pilot. He was honorably discharged on November 26, 1956 and returned to Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Upon completion of his military service, Harold attended Chicago University where he studied Aeronautical Engineering. He then returned to Cleveland and accepted employment with Manhattan Construction Company. He was married to Louise Davis on March 8, 1958 at the First Baptist Church in Cleveland. The couple have made their home in Cleveland throughout their marriage and had two daughters, Stacy Lynn and Leigh Ann.

In 1963, Harold began a seven year employment with the Kerr-McGee Corporation at the local refinery in Cleveland. He worked on the platform and in various capacities in the refinery. When Kerr-McGee closed the refinery in 1970, Harold was hired by Ned Ball to assist him in the operation of Ball Oil Company. After the death of Mr. Ball in 1974, Harold purchased the company and served as Chief Executive Officer and President for the next seventeen years. During this time the company expanded its operation purchasing several convenience stores throughout the area as well as transporting gasoline to various stores. Harold was later employed as a consultant for NESCO in Tulsa, continuing to work there until 2001.

Harold was extremely active in the business of oil marketing. He served for two years, from 1984 -1986 on the Kerr McGee Advisory Council; was President of the Oklahoma Petroleum Marketers Association - Oklahoma Association of Convenience Stores (OPMA-OACS) in 1988. While serving as President of the OPMA-OACS, Harold and Louise traveled all over the United States representing the organization at various state and national tradeshows. He also served on the Tulsa Junior College Safety and Environmental Technology Advisory Council.

Harold was a member of the Westport Baptist Church for the past several years. He was an avid golfer and played many spectacular golf courses throughout the United States with his wife, Louise. He also enjoyed fishing. In the early 1970's, Harold obtained his private pilot's license and spent countless hours flying. His favorite pastime, however, was traveling which he enjoyed with his wife and family.

Harold passed away on Friday, April 22, 2005 at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Claremore, Oklahoma at the age of seventy-one years, five months and twenty-two days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Iva Cox.

Harold is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Louise of the home; two daughters and their husbands, Stacy and Brad Weldon of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Leigh Ann and John Smith of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Cassie and her husband, Justin Gilbert of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Evan and Hannah Smith, both of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and a great-grandson, Bryce Wade Gilbert of Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Harold L. Cox at www.chapman-black.com.