Dates
Lawrence Ellis Cox, age 78, of San Angelo, Texas, passed away Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at home tended by his family. Ellis died of lung cancer and COPD. He was treated at M.D. Anderson in Houston and was grateful for their skill and kind attention. He joked that cancer would not kill him-it would be the drive back and forth to Houston.
Born in Kermit, Texas, on May 4, 1940 to Willie Lee and Lawrence David Cox, Ellis grew up in Brownfield, Texas. He graduated from Brownfield High School in 1958 where he played football, basketball, and ran track. He was also active in 4H and won ribbons for his prized pig. After graduation he married Anne Lee. He attended Angelo State University and Texas Tech University. In 1962 he joined the Navy and traveled from California, to Spain, back to Texas and landed in Virginia Beach, Virginia where he lived with his family for ten years.
Ellis served his country for 22 years in the Navy. When he retired, he returned to his beloved Texas, specifically San Angelo and worked with his brother-in-law and nephew, Nevada and Michael St. Clair. Then he joined the staff at Cactus Copy Systems and enjoyed another career as a technician for 21 years.
On February 2, 1985 Ellis married his former high school classmate, Kay Kisor, and they shared a wonderful life for 33 years.
Ellis will be known for his never-ending love of family. He enjoyed traveling to Lake LBJ and Lake City, Colorado for fishing, swimming, playing cards, white water rafting, and eating. Members of the Corollas and San Angelo Western Dance Club, Ellis and Kay loved to dance and listen to music. Sports fans, they especially enjoyed watching football and always had season tickets to the Central High Bobcats Football Games. A sailor through and through, Ellis shared his love of the ocean with his family. Nothing made him happier than going on a cruise with Kay and their grandchildren, Payton Kisor and Mekayla Poehls. Actually, Ellis delighted in everything his grandchildren did- football, golf, cheerleading, and Tex-Anns.
He shared his love of the ocean with his daughter, Kim and her husband, Ned, who live on the coast of Maine. Ellis and Kay would visit to eat lots of fresh seafood, tour lighthouses and other historic sights.
Ellis Cox is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Willie Cox; his brother-in-law, Nevada St. Clair; his nephew, Michael St. Clair; and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is survived by his wife, Kay Kisor Cox; step son, Craig Kisor, and his son Payton Kisor; step daughter, Patti Kisor Poehls and her husband Rocky Poehls and their daughter, Mekayla Jo Poehls; sister Willie Beatrice St. Clair; daughter Kim Lee Cox Motley and her husband Edward "Ned" Motley; niece, Erica Anne St. Clair; nephew, Shane St. Clair; and his beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. He cherished the family pit-bull, Callie.
A Celebration of Ellis's Life will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 13th at Sierra Vista United Methodist Church, San Angelo, Texas where the family have been members since 1985.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Sierra Vista United Methodist Church, M.D. Anderson, Hospice of San Angelo, the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.