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Ray LaDon Cox, Jr.
1958-2021
Ray LaDon Cox, Jr. was born on June 27, 1958 in Pasadena, TX, to Ray LaDon Cox, Sr. and Bobbie Roberts Cox. He went to be with the Lord, with his family by his side at home in west Houston, on October 18, 2021, after a prolonged battle with cancer that he fought with faith and courage.
Ray grew up in the close-knit community of Galena Park, TX, surrounded by grandparents, many aunts and uncles and numerous beloved cousins. He graduated from Galena Park High School in 1976 and went on to study accounting and management at Houston Baptist University. There, he met the love of his life, the former Barbara Jean Taylor. Ray and Barbara were married at Westbury Baptist Church on August 1, 1981 following their graduation from HBU. Barbara went on to attend medical school while Ray achieved his Certified Public Accountant license and worked in several accounting and finance positions in Houston. Ultimately, Ray earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from South Texas College of Law in 1988 and received admission to the State Bar of Texas in 1989.
Ray and Barbara spent their first 15 years of marriage as busy young professionals who enjoyed traveling the world together. On April 1, 1996, they were blessed with twin sons, Tyler Ray and Colton Lee. It was then the pure joy in their life truly began.
In 1994, Ray founded The Cox Law Firm, through which he specialized in tax valuation disputes. During his decades leading the firm, Ray became known as a skilled and thoughtful mediator among the Houston legal community. As his practice grew and honed its focus on property tax matters, Ray never took credit for his professional successes, instead giving all thanks to the Lord and treating his staff like family.
Beyond his law practice, the institutions most important to Ray were his alma mater, Houston Baptist University, and his spiritual community of Second Baptist Church. At HBU, Ray sat on the Board of Trustees for 20 years and had the honor of serving as Chair for two terms. He also served as an adjunct professor of business law in HBU's Master of Business Administration program for 17 years. At Second Baptist, Ray was humbled to serve as a deacon since 2008. He and Barbara were devoted members of the Faithworks Bible study class, which he occasionally led in teaching with his eloquent lectures and Godly insights.
Ray was an infinitely loving husband and father. He cherished eating dinner together as a family every evening. He never missed an opportunity to brag on his wife's work as a pediatrician. Ray was immeasurably proud of everything his sons did, from their hobbies and talents to their studies and careers, and constantly provided fatherly wisdom. Yet Ray's most important impact on his family and friends was his steadfast love for Christ. He touched countless lives through his ardent faith and his commitment to Christ's command to "love thy neighbor as thyself."
Ray is survived by his wife of 40 years and "other half," Barbara Taylor-Cox, M.D.; his dear sons Colton Cox and Tyler Cox; parents LaDon Cox and Bobbie Cox; sister and brother-in-law, Donna Cox Havard and Rick Havard; and his nephews and niece whom he loved greatly.
To celebrate Ray's life, a visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00pm on Friday, October 22 at Houston Baptist University's Belin Chapel, 7502 Fondren Rd, Houston, TX 77074. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, October 23 at 2:00pm in the sanctuary at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77057; a livestream will be available at www.second.org/liveevents. Interment will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079.
In Ray's honor, memorial gifts may be made to the HBU Scholarship Fund in honor of Ray L. Cox, Jr., Office of Advancement, Houston Baptist University, 7502 Fondren Rd, Houston, TX 77074.
Condolence messages may be written for the Cox family at www.garmanycarden.com
Services are under the direction of Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281)342-4671.