Gary Gene Cox

Gary Gene Cox, 72, of Amarillo, TX passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, October 17, 2022.

Gary was born March 25, 1950, in Amarillo, TX to HL and Janelle Cox.

At the age of 10, he began working for his father at Hoarel Sign Company. He then later became the President of the company and has made it very successful. He was known by many as being a “son of a sign maker.”

After meeting the love of his life, Linda Grace Breedlove, the two ran away at a young age and got married on December 24, 1969, in Tucumcari, NM. Their love and marriage was one-of-a-kind. Together, there was nothing that could stop them.

He was on the Board of Directors for the International Sign Association, as well as served as the President of the Texas Sign Association. He was also involved in the community serving on the Tri-State Fair committee and Coors Cowboy Club.

Outside of work, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and traveling doing all the above. He always talked about his hunting trips, including the one to Argentina, his golf trips which included Pebble Beach and TPC Saltgrass. As well as the trip with his wife to Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, and Grand Teton National Park. He was always bragging about the 2 hole-in-ones he made during his golf career. He also loved his western movies, reading books, and loved John Wayne.

Gary was known for his humor, big heart, selflessness, and loved to raise hell. He was always giving people a hard time and could get a laugh out of anyone. Some of his self-given nicknames included Gary “bad ass” Cox, and the one-eyed fat man. He wanted to be known as a “man’s man”.  Above all, he was the life of the party and the world’s best storyteller. He would walk into a room and yell “Cocktails!”. You would always find him with his scotch in one hand, and cigarette in the other. There was never a dull moment when you were in his presence or heard his stories.

He cherished the time spent with his family. His greatest title of all was being called Pops to 6 grandkids. He loved his grandkids more than anything. He was so proud of them all and made that known to everyone. Among many life lessons taught, he always said to “love with all your heart, but kick ass if you need to,” and to “give them hell”.

He is preceded in death by his father HL Cox; mother, Janelle Cox; and sister, Deborah Nation.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Linda Cox; his two loving children, Ray Cox and wife Nicole of Amarillo, TX; and daughter Lisa Orosco and husband Nick of Amarillo, TX; six wonderful grandkids, Sydney Edwards and husband Caden, Adasyn Cox, Caitlin Orosco, Morgan Orosco, Hadley Cox, and Ben Cox. Lastly, his best friend, partner-in-crime, and squirrel hunting 4-legged buddy, Buster.

Services to be held at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel on Friday, October 21, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., located at 2800 Paramount Boulevard, Amarillo, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to American Diabetes Association or Heal the City Amarillo.