Ernest Earl Cox

Ernest Earl “Bud”Cox, 92, founder of Cox Machine, Inc., passed away on Sunday, December 18th. Bud was a man of honesty, integrity, responsibility, and good humor. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Ruth Ann, his daughter Nancy Ann Herndon, his great granddaughter, Mykel Denise Cox, sister, Mary Conquest. He is survived by his sons, Steve (Janis) and Stan (Angela), 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren; his sister, Edith Wedel (Ray), nieces and nephews.

He was born June 27, 1924, grew up in Wichita, and joined the Army during WWII, serving as a mechanic for flame-throwing tanks. After the war, he married Ruth Ann and built the house they lived in nearly all of their married life. In 1952, he started an aviation supply machine shop in his garage. His personal character, mechanical skills, and good business sense established a successful business that has grown to employ 250 people, and is now in the third generation of family leadership.

During his life he faithfully took care of several family members and a friend through their illnesses and old age. He was active in the Shrine and Jesters organizations. His long-time passion was restoring antique motorcycles, and he was recognized nationally as an expert in the field. He was one of the founding members of the Wichita chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America. He also was a great story teller who, for years, wrote a column for the national Antique Motorcycle magazine under the name of “The Old Sage”. Memorials have been established with the Shriners Hospital for Children and Rainbows United. Services will be held on Thursday, December 22, 10:00 am at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 7901 W. 21st Street N., Wichita. Viewing at Culbertson- Smith Mortuary, 115 S. Seneca on Wednesday, December 21 from 1:00-8:00 with family present 6:00-8:00.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

10:00 AM

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