Howard D. Cox, age 77, of Richmond, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 11, 2011 at the Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas. Howard was born January 5, 1934 at Colony, Kansas the son of Wesley Guy Cox and Rachel Marie (Othic) Cox. He grew up in the Colony area attending school there. On October 22, 1955 Howard married Mary Sue Richardson at Miami, Oklahoma. This union was blessed with three children. Howard entered the US Army in 1956. He was a Vietnam War veteran who served five years in Germany and one year in Vietnam. Howard served a total of twenty years in the Army and the Reserves before retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer. In 1970, Howard was discharged from active duty and he returned to Colony. He owned and operated the Sinclair Station in Garnett for a few years in the early 1970's. In 1977 Howard and Mary Sue moved to Richmond, Kansas. Howard worked as Maintenance Engineer and Custodian for USD 365 in Garnett, retiring in 1992 due to health complications. Following retirement, Howard and Mary Sue spent 15 winters in Texas as snow birds. He attended the First Christian Church, was a member of the V.F.W. in Garnett and served one term as Mayor of Richmond. Howard enjoyed his family pets, his cows, and camping. He particularly enjoyed his afternoon coffee friends at R&B's in Richmond, however his favorite pastimes involved buying lottery tickets and going to the casinos. Howard always loved a good practical joke and his sense of humor will be missed. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Klebe, Charles and Jim Cox. Howard is survived by his wife, Mary Sue of the home; two sons, Stephen Cox and wife Pam of Garnett, John Cox and wife Rena of Iola, Kansas; one daughter, Cheryl Benander and husband Greg of Powell, Wyoming; 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM, Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Garnett. Burial will follow in the Richmond Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6:00 - 8:00 PM Tuesday evening at the funeral home in Garnett. Memorial contributions may be made to the Garnett V.F.W. Auxiliary or to the V.F.W. National Home for Children and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.