Iva "Lou" Cox

Iva “Lou” Cox, 81, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, Kansas, supported by the love of her family. Born in Topeka, Kansas, Lou was one of eleven children born to Kenneth and Iva Morgan. During her childhood, the family relocated to Alabama following her father’s work with the Santa Fe Railroad. Lou met and married the love of her life, SFC Walter Cox Jr., U.S. Army 5th Group Special Forces, in Theodore, Alabama. Together, they built a life grounded in love, sacrifice, and commitment to their children. As the wife of a career Army serviceman, Lou supported her family through years of military assignments and constant relocation, creating a sense of home wherever they were called to go. No matter the hardship, she always found a way to make a way. During Walter’s three deployment tours in Vietnam, Lou carried the responsibility of raising their children alone while enduring the uncertainty and fear familiar to so many military families. This uncertainty and fear were compounded by the length of time between updates and contact with her husband. Those were the days of handwritten, mailed letters and phone calls timed a world away and very few and far between. Knowing that her husband was part of an elite military unit, the Green Berets added to her worry and the lack of timely updates. But she met every challenge with quiet courage, resilience, and strength. Later in life, Lou attended Washburn University, where she especially enjoyed studying history and French—subjects that reflected both her love of learning and her enjoyment of travel. After Walter’s passing in 1997, Lou remained the heart of her family, even while enduring profound personal loss. She was known for her warm kitchen and open door; family members knew they could stop by at any time and find her famous goulash or another homemade meal waiting for them. Lou was preceded in death by three of her five beloved children: her daughter, Shelby Cox-Scott, in 2004; her son, Fallen Fire Captain Tony Cox, in 2007; and her son, Daniel Cox, in 2007. Though she carried tremendous sorrow, her love for her family never faltered. Through heartbreak and loss, she continued forward with strength and determination. She is survived by her daughters, Kelly Drummond (Brad), and Dorothy “Dotty” Karnowski; her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Dee Morgan of Las Vegas, Nevada, Martha Lambert of Theodore, Alabama, and Sandra Wendelburg of Columbia, Missouri. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., with funeral services immediately following at 1:30 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. In honor of Lou’s lifelong support and sacrifice alongside her husband’s military service, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), in care of the funeral home. Lou will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of those who loved her. Condolences may be sent online at www.kevinbrennanfamily.com

Iva "Lou" Cox

April 12, 1945 - May 7, 2026