Regina A. Cox

After 95 years of a life well loved, Regina Alice Cox passed away peacefully on October 7, 2021. Gene, as her friends and family called her, grew up in Kansas City, one of eight children born to Frank and Serra Maggard. At age 21, Gene married Thomas P. Cox, Jr., and over their 62 years in partnership they raised nine children in the Catholic faith. They also welcomed twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Longtime members of Visitation Parish and then St. Thomas More, Gene and Tom went to daily Mass together until Tom passed away in 2010. They shared a commitment to service and exhibited that by volunteering for more than two decades at St. Joseph’s Hospital. After Tom’s death, Gene continued attending daily Mass and serving her family, church and community.

Gene was a force of nature. She was a skilled listener who provided a calming voice in any storm. Through the years, she gently and forcefully guided her children to do their best and be their best, always remembering to lead with love. Her grandchildren and greats saw her eyes light up and her arms open up when they visited. She loved seeing them and spoiling them. Her warm spirit, gigantic smile, silly sense of humor and squishy hugs will be sorely missed.

In life and after death Gene was generous. Her ultimate gift was the donation of her body to the Willed Body Program at Kansas University Medical Center. Her noble donation will advance medicine and help future generations of physicians and patients.

Gene was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Tom. Lifelong baseball fans, together again, Gene and Tom now move into extra innings with their love.

Gene leaves behind her nine children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren and three greats.

Tom and Gene placed a premium on access to higher education. With that in mind, the family respectfully requests donations to the Tom and Gene Cox Scholarship Fund at Rockhurst University.

A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 900 N.E. Shady Lane, Gladstone, MO 64118 on Friday, November 12, 2021. The Rosary will begin at 11 a.m. CT, followed by a Visitation at 11:30 a.m. CT and the Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. CT.

A celebration of Gene’s life will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 900 N.E. Shady Lane, Gladstone, MO 64118 on Friday, November 12, 2021. The Rosary will begin at 11 a.m. CT, followed by a Visitation at 11:30 a.m. CT and the Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. CT.