Raymond Cox
1938-2018

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Raymond Cox left our world on May 5, 2018. He was 79 years old.

Ray was a wonderful, hard working, loving and intelligent man.

He was raised in Stockton, Calif. After high school, Ray joined the Air Force. There he was part of a flight crew, working as a radar operator. He was stationed in many different areas of the United States.

In 1960 he worked in Manhattan Beach. Then it was onto several years in Las Vegas. In 1970 he attended Court Reporting School in San Francisco.

Ray and his son Chris moved to Lake County in 1972. He worked primarily with the firm later known as Adair, Potswald and Hennessey. At this time Chris was nearly 8, and Chris was enrolled at Lakeport Elementary School; he was in Joan Goodwin’s third grade class.

In 1980, Joan and Ray were married; Joan brought Sarah and Shelly to the marriage. While the kids were young, their lives were filled with friends (wonderful friends), dance recitals, theater plays and musicals, ball games (with many victories over Kelseyville), reading and traveling (primarily home exchanges).

Twenty years ago, they bought a run-down 1920s bungalow in Lakeport. Ray worked on it for two years before they moved in, making it a very special place. He continued this labor of love for many years to follow. It is geared toward grandchildren with a water tower hideout and a playhouse, a miniature replica of their bungalow.

In 2016, Ray wrote a letter to his beloved grandchildren; here are a few excerpts:

“I want you to know that I love each and every one of you. Every one of you is beautiful, bright and kind and funny and want to do the right thing. You’re a delight every time I see you. You’re lucky to have the parents you have loving you, giving you a rock solid foundation and showing you the way. I know beyond question you’re going to live full, happy and productive lives.”

“You will make mistakes. There may come a time when you catch a bad break and you find yourself in a situation you can’t do anything with. You can’t control what other people think and do. A friend may disappoint you. Bad things can happen. Things don’t always work out the way we would like. You should know that the bad/sad/hurting times will pass. Talk to your family, do what’s right and keep marching. As you get older you will become more confident in your choices and some of the self-doubt will go away.”

“You aren’t always right. What’s best for you may not work for other people. There is always another way to look at things. Be honest with yourself. Don’t let your friendships fade away. Your words matter. Do what you say you’re going to do. If you say you will call, make the call. It’s hard to feel good about yourself, if you don’t keep your word.”

He finished the letter with: ​“Here’s a quote I like from a Quaker missionary: ‘I shall pass this way but once. Any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being: let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.’”

Ray leaves behind his loved and loving family: Joan Cox, Chris (Liz) Cox, Sarah (Dell) Thompson, Shelly (Chad) Lyon; grandchildren, Isabella Ray Cox, Quincy Joan Suzanne Lyon, Grant King Raymond Lyon, Nora Dell Thompson and Sammia Lizet El Allie; siblings, sister Frances (Don) Penner; and brother, Jim (Amelia) Cox.

A memorial will be held on August 25, 2018. If you wish to attend please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for time and place.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.