Col. Ronald LLoyd Cox, 81 of Monticello, MS passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at the Covington County Hospital in Collins, Mississippi. He was born Sunday, January 16, 1944 in Milan, Tennessee.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Monticello United Methodist Church in 130 E Broad St, Monticello, MS. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Monticello United Methodist Church in Monticello, MS. Burial will follow in United Methodist Church Cemetery in , . Dr. Jonathan Speegle will officiate. Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 601-587-2573

Ron grew up in Monticello and graduated from Monticello High School in 1962. He received his BS from Mississippi State University in 1967 and was an avid Bulldog Fan. He served in Vietnam from December 1969 to December 1970 with the 84 th Engineer battalion and was awarded the Bronze Star. After being released from active duty he joined the local Army National Guard 106 Support Battalion and held this position for 17 years before taking a promotion to state headquarters in 1988. Following his retirement with the Army National Guard in 1999 and became the Lawrence County Veterans Service Officer and retained this job until 2018. Ron wants to be remembered for his love for God and Country, his love for his wife and family, his devotion to Mississippi State, and his fondness for his military family—the brothers of the 84 th Engineer Battalion during Vietnam and members of the 106 th Support Battalion and the Mississippi Army National Guard.

He was preceded in death by his father, Cooper Cox;  mother, Carrie Pinkley Cox;  brother, Byron Cox.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Heike Cox of Monticello, MS;  son, Tyson Cox (Tanzi) of Pearl, MS;  brother, Lowell Cox;  grandson, Declan Cox;  granddaughters, Taylor Cox, Annalise Cox and Meagan Brewer (Beau);  great grandson, Brayden Brewer;  great granddaughter, Brantleigh Brewer;  nephew, Clay Cox.

Pallbearers will be Beau Brewer, Brad Gardner, Clay Cox, Lester Bacon, Phillip Hedgepeth, and Shane Henderson.

Honorary pallbearers will be David Hebert.

Special music will be performed by Amy Bacon.