We share with you in great sorrow the passing of retired Brother Michael B. Cox on March 6th, 2025.
Michael started working with us here at American Airlines in 1968 and retired from the position of Aviation Maintenance Technician – Crew Chief in 2005.
Our condolences go out to his family, friends, and loved ones.
Please keep the Cox family in your thoughts and prayers.
On March 6th, 2025, Michael Cox passed peacefully while surrounded by loved ones at the age of 81. Michael was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on September 26, 1943 and spent a life making others feel welcomed with his generous smile. Michael will be remembered for his infectious sense of humor, willingness to offer a supportive and guiding hand, and his ability to fix anything mechanical.
After graduating Central High School in 1962, Michael enlisted in the Marine Corps and served honorably from 1962 to 1966. Deployed to Da Nang during the Vietnam War, he serviced F4 Phantom reconnaissance aircraft, furthering his life-long love of aviation and photography. Upon returning to the States, he rejoined private life with a job at the Tulsa Convention Center. While driving the Zamboni one day, he met the love of his life, Betty, whom he married in 1969. He always referred to this as “the best decision he ever made.”
During this time, Michael joined American Airlines as a shop clerk and then trained at the Spartan School of Aeronautics as an airline mechanic. He worked his way up through the hydraulic shop to become a well-respected crew chief by the time he retired in 2005.
Michael had many passions. He was active in the Boy Scouts, helping many young men achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He was known for teaching “wonderful, exciting, and awesome Environmental Science.” He loved OKC Thunder basketball, crime and mystery television, and military documentaries.
Michael’s true devotion was to his family. A loving husband to his wife Betty for 55 years, they shared a special connection filled with daily giggles. Michael always talked fondly about his childhood years where he would get into a little bit of mischief with his two brothers but was always kept in line by his two older sisters. Betty’s brothers and sisters claimed “Michael B.” as one of their own, filling many family gatherings with raucous laughter. Michael would share with anyone he met how proud he was of his three sons, quickly giving a long list of supporting details. Called “Gramps” by his adoring grandchildren, he enjoyed getting on the floor to play, making silly faces, and giving out big bear hugs.
Michael was preceded in death by father Thomas, mother Helen, brother Tim and sister Susan. He is survived by wife Betty, son Michael and wife Beth, son Steven and wife Staci, son Bryan and wife Yumi, sister Linda and brother Tom, grandsons Evan, Dylan and Gavin, and granddaughters Lily and Ella.
Services to honor the life of Michael Cox are set for Thursday, March 13th at 11am in the Rose Chapel at Floral Haven funeral home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Visitation will be available on Wednesday, March 12th, from 4-7pm. 6500 N Olive Ave, Broken Arrow, OK 74012