Gary Alan Cox

Gary Alan Cox, age 75, passed away on October 10th, 2024 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born on March 3rd, 1949 to Jasper “Junior” and Jewell Franklin Cox at the family home in Iron Post, Oklahoma.

A 1967 graduate of Locust Grove High School, Gary attended college at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and Weber State University. After graduating with a degree in Electronic Engineering Technology, he joined the Air Force in 1972. Gary served in the 562nd Tactical Fighter Squadron and was a member of the infamous Wild Weasels. He was honorably discharged in 1979 at the rank of Captain. He continued to serve under the 188th Tactical Fighter Group or “Flying Razorbacks” in the Arkansas Air National Guard from 1979-1983.

Upon his return home from the Air Force, Gary purchased an auto parts store in Locust Grove, Oklahoma. In 1982, he sold the store to enter the table egg business–building his first two chicken houses in Summers, Arkansas and establishing Ozark Egg Corporation. Initially contracted to Cargill, he became an independent producer in 1984 and eventually built a vertically integrated business with multiple farms, feed mills, and processing plants. The industry consolidated rapidly and by the late 1990s, he had grown the business to become one of the nation's largest table egg producers. In 2007, alongside his oldest son Michael, they began transitioning from caged to a 100% cage-free egg company. An early adopter of “outdoor access” based egg production, they were the first to commercially produce free-range and pasture-raised eggs in the country. Gary halfway retired somewhere along the way and the business grew into a leading supplier of specialty eggs, producing for most major brands.

Gary could fix just about anything–from circuit boards to water wells, electrical, and HVAC. He was always the first phone call when something broke down. A man of many interests, Gary enjoyed a life of exploration and adventure. He spent his free time metal detecting in the UK, traversing the Australian outback, and exploring ghost towns out west. He bought into a gold mine in Alaska with some friends, and enjoyed annual fishing trips to Canada with his family. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling with his long-time partner Nita more than anything. Privately, Gary was very generous to employees, friends, and strangers alike. He lived a full life.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Jasper and Jewell Cox. He is survived by his partner Nita Calvert, sister Mary Etta (David) Jafek, brother Doug Cox, as well as his five children: Michael (Courtney) Cox, Paige (Logan) McAlister, Mark (Lara) Cox, Erin Cox, and Bailey Cox. Gary leaves behind six grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

The family encourages all who knew Gary to stop by his Celebration of Life on Sunday, October 20th at the Viney Grove Community Center from 1-4pm. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Northwest Arkansas Salvation Army or World Central Kitchen.