Lawrence Oakley Cox, age 81 of Diamond City, AR passed away Thursday, April 10, 2008 at Hospice of the Hills Hospice House in Harrison, AR.

Lawrence, better known to friends and loved ones as "Larry" was born April 16, 1926 in Centreville, AL. He trained to become a certified aircraft mechanic early in life and became an avid flyer and a proud owner of a Cessna 195.

It was on a return flight from Alabama when he saw the Ozarks from the air and fell in love with the beautiful country.

Larry came to live in Lead Hill in 1982 and ran an auto, marine shop in Diamond City. It was here where he met Mary, his loving wife of 22 years. Mary and Larry were inseparable and loved by all.

The view of the sunset over the lake and the mountains from their home in Diamond City was the "million dollar view" they both loved and shared every day.

Larry loved restoring classic antique cars and boats. His restoration of a 1934 Garwood boat had people talking from coast to coast, he actually received a phone call from country music star, Alan Jackson, inquiring about the boat.

Larry and Mary were both members of the Lighthouse Bible Church.

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Mary and her children, Luana Spranger, of Selah, WA, Joyce Barnhill, of Potlatch, ID, Pam Metsala, of Brentwood, WI, Joseph Brucker, of Harrison, AR, and Jerome Brucker, of Alpena, AR, and other family members, James Cox, of Creston,B.C., Ken Cox, of Canada, Cherrie Hunchuk, of Edmonton, Alberta, Keith Cox, of Neward, DE, Roy Cox, of Grande Prairie, Alberta, and Jim Cox, of Fort McMurray, Alberta.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alberta "Pops" Schultz and his mother, Billie Owen Cox.

Larry will be missed.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Hills, P.O. Box 1927, Harrison, AR 72602.

Cremation arrangements are being handled by Coffman Funeral Home with memorial services to be announced at a later date.

Online condolences may be made to www.coffmanfh.com.