Robert L. Cox, Jr., 79, of Hemphill, WV, was born October 26, 1946, and passed away July 22, 2026. Though he spent brief periods of his life in Kentucky and Alabama, Princeton was always home.

Robert was a simple man who never needed much and never asked for more than that. Ask him how he was doing, and the answer was always the same — "fine, nothing to complain about" — whether it was true or not. His daughters were his daughters, no matter that they were grown women; some things a father just doesn't burden his girls with.

He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, and it was the only job he ever truly loved. He served with distinction, and his time there shaped the rest of his life in ways he carried quietly, in body and in mind.

After the Army, Robert joined his father Robert, Sr in the coal mines, working thru the ranks to become a foreman. He served on the mine rescue team, and more than once went into a collapsed mine to bring men out alive. It was quiet, dangerous work, and he didn't talk about it much — he just did it.

When he retired, he devoted himself to his wife and family. After his wife, Katherine Stamper Cox, passed away, Robert built a simple, steady rhythm into his days: old westerns on the television and lunch with his neighbors.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert L. Cox, Sr. and Thelma Rakes Cox; his wife, Katherine Stamper Cox; and his sister, Sandra Blankenship.

He is survived by his daughters, Angela Holley (John) and Jennifier Gardner (David); his granddaughter, Kristina Bruno (Jon Paul); and his great-grandson, Dominic.

Services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Robert carried the weight of war for the rest of his life, and he would not have wished that on anyone else.