Mr. Charles Leslie Cox Jr., 83, of San Antonio, passed away peacefully at Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans’ Hospital on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, surrounded by his daughters. Charles was born on December 28, 1942, in Humble, to the late Charles L. Cox Sr. and Mary Lorena Hennesey Cox. He loved the flag and served his country in the United States Army aboard “The Wild One,” an ammunition and supply boat in Vietnam. Charles married Linda Faye Johnston Cox on January 3, 1985, in Victoria.
He was a crane operator for most of his life and built the world’s largest oil derrick for Brown & Root. Later, Charles operated a crane from San Antonio to California to Buffalo & Plattsburgh, New York. In New York, one of his most notable jobs was installing the large gears on the Whiteface Mountain Gondola in Lake Placid. He enjoyed his retirement years in San Antonio, surrounded by family and friends. Charles was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. He loved nothing more than being around his family, watching the Dallas Cowboys, and enjoying western movies. He will surely be missed.
Charles is survived by his daughters, Terry Block of Kerrville, Carol Ann Hargrove Meyers (John) of Rosenburg, Tammy Winter (Bruce) of San Antonio, Sherry Bohl (Ronnie) of Meridian, MS, and Charlene Pratt (James) of Kyle, SD; stepdaughter, Christina Jarvis (Hugh Simonek); sisters, Mary Ann Lucas and Betty Jo Sanders; brothers, James Ray Cox, Luther Martin Cox, and Mike Cox; grandchildren, Nikki Winter, Abby Winter, Mariah Bohl, Skyler Cox, James Pratt, Kyle Pratt, Eric Coughlin, Taylor Coughlin, Vince Block, Joshua Fallowell, Tishonda Aley, Heather Aley, Melanie Aley, Nathan Aley, and Brittany Sweatt; and great grandchildren, Madeleine, Morgan and Lily Rodriguez, Callie Olivarez, Sawyer, Finn and Archer Coughlin, Xavier and Kyren Coughlin, and Banks Michelle Sweatt.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Cox; his parents; daughter, Belinda Cox Coughlin; brother, Carl Cox; and grandson, Raymond Olivarez.
Father Michael Odartey-Lemptey officated the funeral service. Burial followed at Hillside Cemetery.
Pallbearers include James Lucas, Lonnie Lucas, Ronnie Lucas, Stephen Lucas, Timothy Sanders, Hugh Simonek, and Nathan Aley. Honorary pallbearers include James Cox, Luther Cox, and Mike Cox.