Howard Lindley Cox, of Wichita, Kan., 95, known as Lindley, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2017, in Wichita. He was born Nov. 30, 1921, in Mound City, Kan., to Howard Braxton (“H.B.”) Cox and Blanche (Bearly) Cox, the youngest of six children.
Lindley grew up on the family farm in Goodrich, Kan. (3 miles south of Parker), and graduated from Parker High School in 1939. He began college at Kansas State Teacher’s College of Pittsburg (now Pittsburg State University) in the fall of that year. World War II interrupted his college education as he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, Cadet Training Program, and was called up in January 1943. He trained as a bombardier on B-17 bombers and was shipped to Foggia, Italy, in February 1945 with the 15th Air Force. Following the end of WW II, he remained in Italy as a supply officer and traffic investigation officer until he returned to the U.S. for discharge in August 1946. After his discharge, Lindley returned to Pittsburg and received his B.S. degree in 1947 and an M.S. in 1948.
He wed Margaret Claire Bower of Parsons, Kan., in 1949. They were married for 60 years and raised four children together – Sara, Joel, Jeff and Jeremy.
Lindley held several jobs in the 1950s before settling in Wichita where he taught vocational arts at South High School for several years. He then served as Supervisor of Student Services at the Wichita Area Vocation-Technical School until his retirement in 1986.
He also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, including 11 years as a Liaison Officer for the Air Force Academy, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Lindley Cox loved all members of his extended family unconditionally and took great joy in sharing their achievements with anyone he met. He was a skilled handyman and greatly enjoyed doing chores for friends and relatives. He had a great wit and an unmatched ability to tell extended stories that seemed to never end.
Lindley and Margaret were longtime members of East Heights United Methodist Church, where he was a beloved Sunday School teacher for many years.
Lindley Cox was predeceased by his parents; five siblings; and by his wife, Margaret.
He is survived by daughter Sara, of Wichita, and husband Steve; son Joel, of Fort Collins, Colo., and wife Karen; son Jeff, of Tulsa, Okla., and wife Cris; son Jeremy, of Fort Collins, and wife Jennifer; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Doris (Bower) Toomey of Wilmington, Del.; and numerous nieces and nephews who have many fond memories of their Uncle Lindley.
Lindley’s children are extremely grateful for the kindness shown by the staff and residents of Brookdale East Wichita assisted-living facility where he spent his last three years.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).
OBITUARIES
Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith passed away Saturday June 7, 2025, at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan. She was born on Nov. 19, 1935, in Topeka, Kan., to Neil and Gladys (Goldsmith)... [More]
Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Ron Arbogast, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78. Born Aug. 31, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan.,... [More]
Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025

Linn County News Published June 25, 2025 Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Contributions... [More]
More Obituaries
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
- Maxine Breuel ~ 11-20-1926 to 06-07-2025
- Richard Paul Henderson ~ 07-26-1950 to 06-01-2025
- Rees Lyle Shattuck 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025
- Dixie Bradley Wilkerson 10-15-1939 to 05-30-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
NEWS
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
More News
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

