Tributes

On October 3, 2012, after many rich and blessed years on earth, Patricia Alma Williams Burkit Cox left her family and friends to meet her Father and Maker. In her long and active life Pat experienced the Great Depression, World War II and several other wars, and the loss of her heroic brother, her extraordinary parents, Col. Ernest A. and Claire Veltmann Williams, and two remarkable husbands, William Croker Burkit, and Bernarr Barney Cox. Pat Cox was born in Des Moines, Iowa, September 16, 1924. Her father was a career Army officer and last commander of the cavalry at Fort Riley, Kansas. During her childhood she and her brother Jimmy lived in many parts of the U.S. and Asia while her father served his country. Her experiences in the Philippines and Japan left her with treasured lifelong memories. During WWII, she attended Georgetown Visitation, and in 1945 she graduated from Kansas State University as a Kappa Kappa Gamma with a B.S. in journalism. She met and fell in love with William Crocker Burkit, and after a brief wartime courtship, the couple were married. While she was living in Fort Lewis, Washington, her husband Bill was tragically killed during the Korean conflict, leaving Pat a widow and mother of two young children, Bill and Elizabeth. Once again Pat moved with her children to Fort Sam Houston and to the comfort of her loving parents to begin a new life. While she was working at Braniff Airlines, a chance meeting with her former boyfriend Barney Cox brought him back into her life. Barney called on her, they dated, fell in love and were married in 1952. The new Cox family added five more children: Suzy, Jim, Patti, John and Carol. As Barney's endeavors grew, so did Pat's challenges as a mother to seven and wife of a successful businessman. The family's growing businesses included development, utilities, ranching and banking. The postwar boom was a prosperous time for the hardworking couple. Pat and Barney particularly enjoyed their involvement in Oak Hills Country Club. Pat was a meaningful friend to many, an avid reader, traveler, and lover of golf and tennis. She loved being with friends for bridge, dining and dancing. She was a devout Catholic, an active member of St. Luke's Catholic Church and the Sultanas de Bexar. Pat was the mother of four daughters, and three sons and the grandmother to eleven grandchildren: Bill, wife Elise, daughters Marlise and Meghan, husband R.J. Rowntree, Elizabeth and sons Sean and Michael Stone, Suzy, husband Cappy, son Trevor and daughter Avery Lawton, Jim, wife Amy, daughter Morgan and son Sam, Patti and son Riley Diehl, John, wife Gayle, sons Ryan and Joshua, and Carol Cox. Pat was a kind and loving mother and she will be in our hearts forever. The family wishes to express its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Abdu Khadri, Mindy Fuller, RN, Amedisys Hospice, Carol Lewis and Leelo Deloice Thomas for the loving and respectful care of our mother. The Rosary and Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, October 15, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Luke's Catholic Church, 4603 Manitou Dr., San Antonio, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke's Altar Society or the charity of your choice.

Tributes

Patricia W. Cox

September 16, 1924 - October 3, 2012