March 21, 2017

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).