Walter Ray Cox, 86, Orange

Walter Ray Cox, 86, of Orange, Texas, passed away on October 2, 2023, in Beaumont, Texas.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, October 7, 2023, at North Orange Baptist Church in Orange. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Born in Minden, Louisiana, on February 22, 1937, he was the son of Walter Jefferson Cox and Victoria (Savell) Sullivan. At the age of 9, Walter made the most important decision of this life by making a public profession of faith giving his life to Jesus. For 77 years he was a faithful member of North Orange Baptist Church and during this time he served many years as a deacon and on a number of finance and building/grounds committees. From an early age, Walter had a strong work ethic throwing both the morning and evening papers for about 500 homes. He also held a job at the ABC grocery store. After graduating high school he and his life-long friend, Louis Willie at the encouragement of a teacher, headed to the University of Houston. Money was tight and when they ran out, they left for Orange where fortunately for them, DuPont was hiring. For the next 10 years, Walter worked at DuPont during the day and at tended Lamar State College of Technology at night while also being a husband and father to two young children. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. During his 37 years at DuPont, Walter ascended to an upper level of management position retiring with a job title of Information Systems Gulf Coast Area Manager. It was rare that he was able to remain at the Sabine River Works plant throughout his career. It was said that "he left with a reputation as a manager and leader whose dealing with people were always sincere and fair".

After retirement, Walter and Edith enjoyed numerous Sr. Adult trips across the United States with the NOBS group as well as special trips with close friends. For hobbies he loved building projects, hunting, fishing and spending time at the lake house on Toledo Bend, which he built. Walter loved his family deeply and has left a Godly legacy of faith, service, commitment and of love in action.

Walter is preceded in death by his parents, his granddaughter, Bailee Raye Ackerman Byler and her husband, William Troy Byler III.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of over 66 years, Edith Cox; children, Brenda Cox Perkins and husband Dr. Chris Perkins of Kingwood, Dr. David Cox and wife Pam of College Station and Sharon Cox Ackerman and husband Shane of Orangefield; grandchildren, Christie Perkins Gentry and husband Zach of Dallas, Cody Perkins and wife Jordan of New Braunfels, Wesley Ackerman and wife Kaylee of Orangefield, Lawson Cox of Ft. Worth, and Lauren Cox of College Station, great-grandchildren, Brady, Hayden and Greyson Gentry,

Rylie and Parker Perkins, and Wrenley Raye Ackenman; and his siblings, Howard Bollman, Sherry Herd and Vickie Clampitt along with other loving family and

friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the North Orange Baptist Church Building and Grounds Funds at 4775 N. 16th St., Orange, TX, 77632.

Cremation will be held under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.