Kelly Thomas Cox
Cox, Kelly Thomas, 21, Friends University senior and Wesley child life specialist assistant, died Friday, May 25, 2007. Visitation with the family, 3:00-6:00 P.M., Monday, May 28, Downing Lahey Mortuary West. Service, 1:30 P.M., Tuesday, May 29, Covenant Presbyterian Church. Kelly was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church and a counselor at Westminister Woods church camp. He was also active in the Olivet Baptist youth group, Friends University Campus Ministries, and a member of the Friends University soccer team. Kelly had a spirit of love that touched many lives from Wesley Medical Center to kids in Mexico, Thailand, and anywhere he had the opportunity. His smile was contagious and he knew no strangers. In all he did, he showed the love of God. Survivors: parents, Thomas and Debra Cox of the home; sister and brother-in-law, Megan and Eric Sornson of Mission; grandparents, Frances Cox of Wichita, John and Jill Ledesma of Wellington, Virginia Campbell of Oxford, Barbara Johnson of Topeka; 15 aunts and uncles, numerous cousins, and countless friends. Memorials established with Westminster Woods Camp and Retreat Center, 18487 Barber Rd., Fall River, KS 67047 and Friends University Campus Ministries, 2100 W. University, Wichita, KS 67213. Downing Lahey Mortuary West.
Visitation with family, 3:00-6:00 P.M., Monday, May 28, Downing Lahey Mortuary West
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Tom and Debbie, We are so very sorry for the loss of your son Kelly. He was a wonderful young man who was such a good member of this community. May your memories of his life bring you comfort. Tony and Debbie Palomino
Words cannot express how much Kelly will be missed. Jason always admired Kelly on and off the soccer field because he was filled with confidence and was always his own man. Kelly is a shining example of your family’s devotion, love, and encouragement for one another. It is an inspiration to us all. Your friends, –Mark, Susan, Lisa and Jason Douglass
Hello, My name is Bryan Schulz, and i was the driver who witnessed the untimely accident that claimed Kelly’s life. I was not lucky enough to have known Kelly during his life and therefore I cannot possibly fathom what you are going through right now. If there is anything at all you would like to talk about regarding it , you may call my cell phone at 680-9325. Again i am very sorry for your loss and i wish you and yours the very best.
I am very sorry for your loss. Kelly was in my Spanish class this last spring and the note about his smile was definitely true! I don’t think there was ever a day that I saw him when he wasn’t smiling. He will be missed tremendously.
Kelly was a student in my Spanish class at Friends last spring. He always came in with such enthusiasm and a big smile. Often he would tell me about Spanish-speaking children and families that he had met at the hospital. I thought how lucky those children and families were to have Kelly trying to help them. I also remember fondly the day that he and two other guys in the class, Jeff and David, did a fantastic skit of the ‘Three Amigos.’ It was well rehearsed and so entertaining! The class loved it! When I was very ill I appreciated it when Kelly asked how I was doing and expressed genuine concern for me. It was a joy to have Kelly in my class. You are in our prayers.
When my nephew Donnie passed away, I was mad at God. I couldn’t understand why he would give him to us and then take him away, but now with Kelly, I am happy with God, because I feel he blessed us with such a wonderful gift. Having all of you in our life has been a joy beyond words. The time with Kelly was way to short, but he will be in our hearts forever and we were so blessed with every moment. I can remember the first time we met all of you. You guys might have been uncertain of the future, but I felt from that moment that you were the family that I had always wanted and it was ‘Love at First Sight’. You belonged to John and me instead of having to share you with Rovella. It is an HONOR to be Grandparents to Megan, Kelly and Eric and we LOVE you all very much.
Mrs. Cox and family, You are in my thoughts and prayers. With love,
This is a poem that we found when my sister passed away and I wanted to share it with you. Little did we know that morning What sorrow the day would bring. Our loss was great, the shock severe To part with one we loved so dear. We could not say our last farewell Or even say good-bye For you were gone before we knew And only God knows why. Kelly always brought a smile to my face when I would see him at the hospial where we worked. I know now that he was an angel in waiting. I will miss his smile, his laugh, and that twinkle in his eye, I will miss everything about him. I was blessed to know Kelly. May God bless your family during this hard time.
Kelly was a well adjusted, great athlete, and just an all around good kid. I had the opportunity of watching this young man grow up with my son Cody. Kelly and Cody played T-ball and soccer together when they were just little guys which continued up through their adolescent years. Kelly and Cody both loved soccer and remained team mates in club soccer. They shared many great victories and memories throughout the years. High school took them in different directions but on occasion they would meet and catch up on each others aspirations. Tom and Deb, we as parents can never understand why our children are called to reign with our heavenly farther at such a young age, but we have to have faith that Kellys calling is for a far greater purpose than we will know. Our love, thoughts and prayers go out to you both as well as to Megan, family and friends. Kelly will be greatly missed.
Not even the greatest literary giants of this or any other time are capable of crafting words sufficient to assuage the profound grief that is inherent to the passing of a parent’s child. We lift his family in our prayers, giving thanks to God for the many lives Kelly impacted. The infectious joy Kelly brought to the Friends University campus will be legacy. Kelly’s spirit will live on at Friends University and around the world in the many lives he touched.
Debbie and Tom, Words can not express the shock and pain we feel at the news of the loss of Kelly. Joe can’t breath from time to time and tears are abundant when sharing memories of Kelly with Kelsey, Jamie and lil Jeff Konen. We also have smiles break out when we remember the silly antics of the boys lives together during their early soccer years and throughout high school. So many memories, dear, dear memories. (Mother’s Day doing laundry so our boys could have clean dry socks to win the Governor’s Cup in Topeka. We pray that God give you the strength to endure this untimely loss. Please know that we are here for you and if you need us, please call anytime. 682-2526. Joe Konen, Denie Reynolds, Jeff Konen, Kelsey Cary and Jamie Stearns.
During these days of difficulty, I see Kelly climbing Jacob’s ladder to heaven where there is eternal glory. God has called him to the work of his Kingdom early where his lightfooted, energetic self can continue to be an influence on all those who have known him here on this earth. Kelly’s spirit will forever be with us.
I love reading these tributes to Kelly. I am feeling sad tonight. So many people have told us that they were so impressed with the Eagle article and what a wonderful young man he must have been. He continues to impress people even now – even people that didn’t know him. I am going to make copies of The Listener to pass out in church tomorrow. I would like to share it with our congregation. John is asleep in the chair as I am e-mailing this to you. I am thinking about both of you. Love you so much.
Our hearts are broken by Kelly’s death. He brought so much joy to our family and he is leaving a huge void in our lives. We were looking forward to watching him play soccer, go on bike rides, share mission trips with him, and just enjoy seeing him continue to grow into the young man God wanted him to be. His love for his family and life was so evident. The Chambers Family will never forget Kelly. We are praying for Tom, Debbie, Megan, and Eric that they sense God’s presence totally surrounding them and strengthening them to face each hour.
Dearest Deb, I want to convey my deepest sympathy about Kelly Thomas. I cannot imagine the sadness that must be overwhelming for you and your family. I am so very, very sorry. The newspaper clipping and photo revealed such a young handsome, energetic, service-oriented young man. I know you will miss him so much. Ive been thinking about you so much these last few days. I’m sending my love to you and your family.
To Kelly’s Family, We are so sorry to hear about Kelly’s death. We feel like we kinda know Kelly thru our grandsons & nephews Tom & Justin Wheeler. Tom met Kelly at Friends. Tom played on the soccer team there for about 2 years. Anyway, we were made aware by these guys that Kelly had impacted their lives. We would like you to know they spoke of how his Christian life was a witness to them. We noted the obituary in the paper and was impressed with Kelly’s picture. His sweet-spirited smile and the radiance of joy on his face reflected much about his character. What a loss it must be for his family and friends. The next day we found out our Tom & Justin were some of those very friends. They spoke so highly of him and how much they were going to miss him. It was evident by the sadness we saw reflected in their faces. We were touched by Kelly’s life and we wanted to let you know we are praying that the Lord will wrap His loving arms around all of you and give you comfort in the fact that your Kelly touched many lives.
Dear Debra & Tom, I was hoping to make it to the visitation this afternoon but didn’t make it, and John & I will not be able to make it to the service tomorrow. But we wanted to let you know that you have been in our thoughts and prayers ever since we heard the shocking and tragic news Saturday afternoon. We still can’t believe it and cannot begin to imagine what the two of you, Megan, and the rest of the family must be going through. I just wanted to let all of you know that we are thinking of you with deepest sympathy at this difficult time. Robin & John Goss
Kelly was so many things– a wonderful student, athlete, person, and a budding poet. In 2006, he submitted a lengthy poem to me about an imagined conversation with God called, ‘The Listener’ and I’d like to include a portion of it here: Excerpted from ‘The Listener’ by Kelly Cox (written in 2006) . . . . his sandals showed signs of all the places he had been. But something in his face just wasn’t the same, It was as if he knew my name. Then all at once it struck me– he was the one! The man who could listen; the listener had come! The man stood there waiting for me to speak, But what would I do, I can’t even think! The thoughts in my head were all just a blur, I was running out of time– the man started to turn. My one chance to be heard, but nothing to say, My heart began to sink as the man walked away. Then through the clutter, one thought came to mind, The only thought that was clear, the only one I could find– With no more uncertainty, I ran up to the listener, Close to his ear, I spoke softly in a whisper. The man turned and looked at me with tears in his eyes, came close and whispered back, words that changed my life, In a deep voice, and kind, he said, ‘I love you, too, child.’ And for the first time I could listen and for the first time, I smiled.
Dear Tom and Debra: I am so very sorry about the loss of your young son; Kelly. I am in shock and deep sorrow as Kelly was a good son. Please know that Gary and I share your sorrow and that all of you are in our prayers during this time. Gary is now out of town but I will call and let him know. Much comfort and joy knowing that Kelley is now with God. Diane and Gary R. Lincoln
Kelly was a very enjoyable young man to coach when he played basketball for me. He will be missed by everyone who knew him because of his friendly and outgoing personality. It was a privilege to have been a part of his life.
Our love and prayers to the entire family. We can only imagine the sorrow and emptiness you must feel. May God be with all of you and comfort you through this time.
I cannot begin to tell you how sad I was to see Kelly gone. He was always a friendly face to see at work. What is the world’s loss is Heaven’s gain. I pray that you will find peace knowing what a wonderful spirit Kelly had. I also pray for God to give you the strength to get you through to tomorrow. We will miss him.