Richard Vernon Cox

Richard Vernon Cox, 82, of Lyons, Kansas, passed away January 24, 2025, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson, Kansas. He was born June 28, 1942, in Lyons, the son of Vernon and Virginia (May) Cox. Richard was a lifelong Lyons resident. He graduated from Kanopolis High School, Kanopolis, Kansas, with the class of 1959. Upon graduation, he worked for his dad on a drilling rig. He also became a police officer for Lyons Police Department, eventually being promoted to Lyons Police Chief. Richard served a long tenure for the Lyons Fire Department. He worked at Lyons Manufacturing as a machinist, retiring to take care of his wife, Sondra, making sure she made all of her grandson’s sporting events and programs until her passing. Richard was a licensed pilot and flew Christmas light rides, pipeline, and field crop checks. He enjoyed flying radio-controlled model airplanes and riding his Harley for recreation during his younger years. Richard enjoyed traveling, especially going on multiple cruises and Las Vegas. He enjoyed yard work and watching western show reruns. Richard continued to feed all of the outside cats, as his wife would have wished. On May 31, 1975, Richard was united in marriage to Sondra D. Young in Lyons. She preceded him in death on February 6, 2019. He is also preceded in death by his parents; uncle, Bob Jacobs; and nephew, Eric Young. Richard is survived by his son, Richard Michael Cox (Holly Meier) of Little River, KS; three grandsons, Kody Cox (Kayley) of McPherson, KS, Kyler Cox of Lyons, KS, and Kayston Cox of Lyons, KS; great-grandson, Kohen Cox of McPherson, KS; aunt, Marcie Crandall of Little River, KS; uncle, Kenneth Jacobs of Anaheim, CA; three nieces and nephews, Clara and Terry Hensley, Joe and Regina Young, Kelly Jury, and Holly and Billy Hall and their families. Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with Pastor Joel Grizzle officiating. Burial will follow at the Lyons Municipal Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 until service time at the funeral home, with family present. Memorials may be given to the Lyons Bell and Star Fund in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

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