Birth date: Jun 9, 1963 Death date: Jul 4, 2026
Randy Joe Cox, 63, of Springdale, Arkansas, gained his independence on Saturday, July 4, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer he went to sleep with his wife by his side and stepped into heaven. Randy was born on J Read Obituary
Shortly after I met Randy he decided to start studying math to become a teacher through a non-traditional teacher program. Having worked as an engineer for 10 years at that time, I volunteered to help him study. We would often meet for dinner and my wife (fiancée at the time) would visit with Sandra while Randy and I worked through math problems. I got to celebrate with Randy and Sandra after he passed the test and started as a math teacher. I also got to celebrate his successes as a math teacher as he would tell stories of teaching and helping students each time we would meet. Randy had a great sense of humor! Over the years it was always a pleasure to visit, joke around, discuss life, and discuss faith in Christ. Randy will be greatly missed!
Mr. Cox led the interview committee when I was first hired at Haas Hall. He was my mentor that first uncertain year, and stopped by my room often to see how I was getting along. He became a dear friend to me.
In fact, several years later, I had the bright idea to try biking to work (from Springdale!) one morning. I collapsed in exhaustion before even making it to Lowell, and decided to make my way over to Mr. Cox's house. He answered to door still in his pajamas, and he and Mrs. Cox invited me in, offered me breakfast, took me to school, and even helped with getting my bike home.
Randy and I talked often about our challenges and successes as teachers, and about health, family, religion, politics, and anything else on our minds. I will miss him greatly, and look forward to meeting him again in our Father's house.
Donna and I joined Randy and Sandra on Corvette weekend end in Eureka Springs.
Mr. Cox was my AP Statistics and Trigonometry teacher at Haas, but more than that, he was a bright light in our school. He always welcomed my friends and me into his classroom during lunch and after school, giving us a place to talk, laugh, and just spend time together.
One of my favorite memories of Mr. Cox was playing euchre with him after school. My grandpa had just taught me how to play, and I really wanted to get better so I could join the family games whenever I visited him. I knew the rules, but I didn't have anyone to practice with. When Mr. Cox found out, he invited me and a couple of friends to stay after school and play with him.
We were absolutely terrible, but Mr. Cox was endlessly patient. He explained the strategy behind the game, encouraged us as we learned, and even taught me how to shuffle properly. By the time I visited my grandpa again, I was able to join the family euchre game and even won a few rounds. My grandpa asked if I had been practicing, and I told him that a very special teacher had taken the time to help me learn.
Mr. Cox was a busy person, which makes that kindness mean even more to me. He chose to invest his time in his students, not just inside the classroom but in the little moments that ended up becoming lifelong memories. He touched so many lives in so many different ways. He was one of the kindest people I have ever known and one of those rare teachers who made it a joy to learn, whether he was teaching math or euchre.
I will always be grateful for the time I got to spend in his classroom and for the kindness he showed me. He will be deeply missed.
Randy Cox was one of the nicest, most understanding teachers I have ever had. Even when I was at my lowest times, he was available for me to talk to or find comfort in his room.
