William Larry Cox, 74 years, 4 months, 24 days passed away on 12/24/22 after a tragic fall. William "Larry" Cox was born August 1, 1948, in Dallas, Texas and was raised in Dallas. Shortly after he was born, he won the prize of best-looking baby at the State Fair of Texas. Larry was a believer in Christ and grew up attending a Baptist Church, and throughout his life, he prayed daily and often watched his favorite evangelists on television. Larry served in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and he was a strong swimmer and diver but was too shy to join his high school's swim team. He graduated from Bryan Adams High School in 1966 and worked for Beardon Furniture company. As the son of a Marine, Larry felt the call to follow in his fathers footsteps by enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1968. Lance Corporal Cox spent 2 years active duty in the Marine Corps plus 4 years Inactive Ready Reserve for the Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam from October 1968 to December 1969. During his time in Vietnam, he heroically fought on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and ran 23 search and destroy missions. He and his unit, the 3rd Marine Division, provided armed escort for supply convoys as they made their way along the DMZ. He never forgot about his fellow Marines in Vietnam and thought about them daily until the day he passed. He lived by the motto Once a Marine, Always a Marine. After his honorable discharge from the Marines, he turned down an offer from the Secret Service and became the house detective for the Fairmont Hotel in Downtown Dallas. He started working in telecommunications as a highly acclaimed power installer for Automatic Electric where he was known as the top installer for Texas. He also contracted with GTE, Nortel, and Fujitsu. His work ethic and reputation as a power installer took him to Washington State, California, Nevada, Oregon, Maryland, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. While working in Guymon, Oklahoma in 1972, Larry met Susan Hitt, the love of his life, and within two months they began their marriage that lasted 50 years (a fact he was very proud of). They spent several years on the road traveling for his work and growing their family with their children Christina and William Brian coming along. After Christina became school-aged, Larry settled his family in Irving, Texas, while he continued traveling for work. He wanted his family to have as normal a life as possible. Eventually, he fulfilled his dream of living on Lake Vilbig, which became home for the next 43 years. Larry was proud of being a lifetime member of the VFW for over 50 years having joined the VFW when he was still overseas in Okinawa on active duty. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Marine Corps League. He was a founding member of the Leatherneck Club of North Texas. Anytime he was traveling he sought out one of these clubs to have a drink and meet new Marines and veterans so that he could feel more at home while on the road. Larry retired in 2010. Throughout retirement he spent a lot of time with friends and fellow vets at Irving's and Grapevines VFW posts, and he frequented the American Legion at Bachman Lake. Larry felt a calling to help Marines and veterans through works of charity and volunteerism. Via the Marine Corp League, he designed and sold shirts with various creative Marine slogans, and he raffled off guns with proceeds going to Wounded Warriors and The Fisher House. On his own, every Memorial Day he visited the National Cemetery where he placed flags on Marines graves and gave each one a slow salute. He volunteered at the State Fair of Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial many years to educate people about the Vietnam War and help families find their loved ones listed on the wall. Sensing his time was short, this last Marine Corps Birthday/Veterans Day he provided the entire Irving VFW post a BBQ dinner to celebrate them. Those who knew Larry will remember him as larger than life, a protector, and one tough Marine. He once saved his nephew from drowning, and he protected his neighborhood from thieves. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, shooting, and sharpening knives. He stayed in Marine shape by doing 100 push-ups almost daily until he was nearly 72. He had two non-traditional service dogs that assisted him with PTSD. He dearly loved "Marinea Corpsa," a German Doberman and "Sugar Beast," a red-nosed pit bull (she passed in 2021). Larry is preceded in death by his parents Letha and William Ragsdale Cox, and his sister Jan Cox McDonald. He is survived by his wife Susan Cox, his daughter Christina Cox Bryan and son William "Brian" Cox, sisters Marta Cox and Yvonne Cox Janik, many nieces and nephews, son-in-law Chris Bryan, and brother-in-law Kurt Janik. In lieu of flowers, our family requests you consider honoring his memory by sending donations to Wounded Warriors and/or Fisher House. Please visit Irvings Veterans Memorial Park where Larrys picture and story is featured. https://www.cityofirving.org/2846/Veterans-Memorial-Park Larry's Marine Corps Funeral Honors will take place at the DFW National Cemetery at 2pm, Friday, February 3rd, 2023, to honor his life and his service to his country as a Marine. A Memorial Service will follow at 6:30pm at Irvings VFW Post 2494. https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org https://fisherhouse.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/