Rodney was born November 26, 1950 to Ray and Eileen Cox in Miami, Oklahoma. In 1955 the familhttps://northeastoregonnow.com/?p=42627&preview=truey moved to Echo, Oregon and later to Stanfield where he and his five brothers and sisters grew up. Rodney worked for Union Pacific Rail Road from 1969 to 1988 when he retired.
On December 30, 1970 Rodney married Marilyn Richardson and together they enjoyed many of life’s adventures including raising their sons Ronnie and Robbie and building their dream home in Meacham in 2006. Rodney had a supreme love for his family, all things fast, and the outdoors. He and Marilyn raced sand drags and Jeep obstacle courses. As Ronnie got old enough to race, Rodney enjoyed drag racing with him, too. Most recently, Rodney was the crew chief for Robbie’s sprint boat team and the two spent endless hours together trying to create more performance for their sprint boat, Obsession 049. In 2015 Rodney and Robbie reached their goal of winning a points championship with their boat. Rodney always said “Danger is my business” and was fearless and competitive in all his years of racing. When he wasn’t working on property or the boat, Rodney could be found outdoors hunting, fishing, enjoying the woods or bugling for Elk off his front porch.
One of Rodney’s most recent joys was the births of his two grandson s, Henry, age 2 and Wyatt, four weeks. “Grampy” was young at heart – always on the floor playing with his grandsons and finding endless opportunities to teach Henry all about racing, hunting, and fishing. He was the world’s coolest grandpa.
Rodney survived by his wife Marilyn, son Robbie, grandchildren Henry and Wyatt, sisters Marla Cox and Lana Horn, brothers Danny Cox, Dennis Cox, and Dale Cox, Favorite Aunt Priscilla and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his son Ronnie.
Graveside service will be held Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Pleasant View Cemetery in Stanfield. A luncheon will follow at the Crossroads Community Church (Assembly of God Church) 350 N. Sherman St. in Stanfield.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bounce Back Beau Fund in honor of Rodney at the service or via Go Fund Me. Beau is Rodney’s grandson Henry’s friend who is fighting a serious e-coli infection.
Please send condolences at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
