Ross Bryant Cox passed away on February 5, 2020 of conditions relating to advanced age. He was 94 and died in Springfield, MO.

Bryant was born on October 11, 1925 to Henry Edward Cox and Martha Stewart Stringfellow.  He was their third child and second son.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jay  and his sister Priscilla.  He is survived by his wife, Deone Gustaveson Cox, his sister, Carole Carter of Pocatello, Idaho, his daughters Jennie (Dennis) Jones and Julie (Leland) Blatter both of Springfield, Missouri and his son, Matt Cox of Springdale, Montana, 13 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren.

Bryant grew up in Salt Lake City and on a ranch near Coalville, Utah.  In his lifetime he also lived in: Elisinore, Springdale and Draper, Utah; Leslie and Darlington, Idaho; Great Falls and Livingston, Montana; Queen Creek, Arizona, and finally Texas County and Springfield, Missouri.

Bryant was drafted in the Army at the end of WWII and was sailing to the Philippines to participate in the Japanese mainland invasion when the war ended. He served in the recreation area taking care of the horses and then in Korea. Also, in the Army he had a guitar and learned the grand bar chords from one of the original members of the Sons of the Pioneers, who was also in the Army there.  He used this knowledge in his music the rest of  his life.

Bryant's main occupation in life was a rancher.  He ran sheep and cattle on ranches in southern Utah,  Montana and Missouri.  He loved western lore, music and a rural lifestyle. He was an excellent horseman and trained  many horses for use on the ranches he lived on.

Another  passion of his was music.   He was a wonderful singer and guitarist and supplemented his income with his music for much of his life.  In young adulthood he was a part of several western dance bands in  Utah and Wyoming that were in high demand for dances and other events.  The last song of every dance was "Blue Shadows on the trail".  In later years he entertained by himself with the help of a rhythm machine and  the technical ability to harmonize with himself.  He and Deone would go to the Calgary Stampede, Indio Date Festival, Los Angeles County  Fair and Virginia City, Montana.  Bryant would  sing and play the guitar and Deone would sell tapes that he had recorded. He recorded 10 cassette albums and sold upwards of 30,000 copies around the world.

During the years that the family lived in Draper, Utah, Bryant worked for Mosler Safe Company.  One project that he participated in was putting in the vault doors for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' record storage vaults up Little Cottonwood Canyon to the East of Salt Lake City.  He also learned to fly a private airplane during these years as he was working in Utah, Idaho and Montana and needed faster transportation than driving it. His children enjoyed getting to ride in the airplane on many occasions.

Bryant's family meant a lot to him. He and Deone had a long, loving marriage, nearly 70 years and they provided a wonderful home for their three children to grow up in.  He was a good father that loved to have fun with his kids.  As a family they went camping, boating and fishing and he taught his children to sing, play the guitar, ride horses, shoot bows and arrows,  and to honor their mother.  He enjoyed the company and love of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bryant was known for his private nature and his kindness towards all, especially animals;  he was a true "gentle" man who was respected by all who knew him.  His word was bond.  He was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and had a firm belief in God.  He served in the church in many ways  through the years.  In his later years he expressed anticipation in reuniting with loved ones that have passed on before him and we can find comfort that he is happy in their company now.  Bryant will be greatly missed by his family and friends.