Obituary

Loren Robert Cox was born on May 3, 1917, in Thayer and died on Sunday (Dece. 19, 2010) in Newton.

His parents were school teachers and he lived in Pomona, Westphalia and Benton in his early day. In 1927, he moved to Wichita and entered fifth grade. He had a magazine route and carried papers for the Wichita Beacon and Wichita Eagle. He attended North High School until Jan. 2, 1933, when he enrolled in Burns to complete the 11th grade. He graduated in 1934. His parents moved to a farm in Pleasant Valley, Chase County, in February 1933. He became interested in farming, and in 1937, he rented 240 acres and started farming.

In 1939, he married Mildred Melson. Together, they raised two children, Carl Robert and Lela May.

Loren and Mildred farmed in Chase County until 1955. He was made a manager of the Burns Co-op locker and meat market in 1947. He worked for Beech Aircraft in 1951-52. He returned to the locker plant in 1953.

In 1955, he and his wife bought a grocery store in Florence. They operated the L & M Supermarket until 1976.

He moved his church membership from the University Friends Church to Florence Methodist Church in 1955, where he served as Sunday school superintendent and was treasurer for 10 years. He was a member of Advance Lodge No. 114 for 60 years. He served as master and was district deputy grand master. He was a member of the Scottish Rite in Salina. He was past patron of O.E.S. in Florence. He was a member and president of the Florence Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce.

He enjoyed woodworking, silver smithing, lapidary, square dancing, camping and the many friends he made in those activities. He had a collection of antique gas engines and restored a John Deere Tractor.

After retiring, he and Mildred spent part of many winters in Mesa, Ariz. They moved to Newton in 1996 and later moved to Asbury Park in October 2009.

Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Petersen Funeral Home Chapel.

The services will be conducted by Pastor John Goering and Pastor Moon-Hee Chung.

A memorial has been set up for Florence United Methodist Church and East Side United Methodist Church in care of Petersen Funeral Home.