T HPROMISE

Ecar Community Honors Promise To Stephen Cox

TEXT BY ADAM MITCHELL │ PHOTOS BY JOSHUA HAYNES

ABILENE, TX - In the vast realm of automotive artistry, there are individuals whose talent and skill transcend the boundaries of imagination. Stephen Richard Cox was one such extraordinary artist, whose awe-inspiring pinstripes and hand lettering on vehicles left a lasting impact on all who witnessed his creations.

Although no one on our team had the opportunity to meet him personally or interview him, the news of his passing reverberated through the car community in the Big Country. So much, it prompted us to learn more about him and the profound impact that Stephen Richard Cox made by pursuing his life passions.

Renowned for his professional freehand line art, Stephen possessed an unparalleled ability to transform vehicles into stunning works of art. His pinstripes and hand lettering were executed with such precision and realism that many mistook them for expertly crafted decals. Stephen’s passion for his craft and his exceptional talent earned him recognition both locally and nationally, solidifying his place as a true master in the world of automotive pinstriping.

Stephen’s multifaceted career path took him from being a registered nurse to enlisting in the United States Army, where he served as a nurse and medic during the Vietnam War as a member of the 101st Airborne. His unwavering dedication to service led him to receive the prestigious Purple Heart, a testament to his bravery and sacrifice.

However, Stephen’s true calling awaited him in the realm of art. In the early 1980s, he founded his own business, Steve Cox Custom Design, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life. It was through his art that Stephen achieved widespread recognition and touched the lives of countless individuals. His extraordinary talent even drew the attention of celebrities, who sought out his unrivaled craftsmanship.

Stephen’s artistry earned him invitations to prominent car shows and events across the nation, establishing his name as a household one among automotive enthusiasts.

The automotive community held Stephen in such high regard that, before his passing, he expressed a heartfelt wish for his funeral to be a tribute filled with hot rods and classic cars. True to his desire, members of the car community in the Big Country, including Steve Longmire, Bobby Green, Robert Fain, Cal Sumrall, Joe West, and many others, attended his funeral service at Trinity Baptist Church, and then traveled to the graveside service at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene, Texas, to honor Stephen Cox and support his family during this difficult time.

Over the years, Stephen made many friends who shared the same passion for cars as he did. We had the privilege of interviewing a few people who had the pleasure of meeting him and they had nothing but good things to say about Stephen. One of them was Bobby Green, a member of the Last Chance Car Club in Abilene, Texas, and the proud owner of a 1968 Dodge Charger. Bobby, along with his wife Dianne Green, attended the service to pay their respects to a man whose artistry had left an indelible impression on them. Reflecting on Stephen Cox, Bobby shared, “I watched him for years. Anytime there was a car show he would be out there pinstriping.

And here is a quick story. One time I bought a motorcycle and when we were unloading it off the trailer, the paint was scraped. So, I called Stephen and he told me to bring it to his house. There he fixed it in his garage and didn’t charge me a penny. He was a great guy and his work was amazing!” Bobby’s words echoed the sentiments of many who had admired Stephen’s work.

Another conversation he had was with Robert Fain, the former owner of Fain’s Automotive in Abilene, Texas. Having spent close to 50 years in the industry, Robert spoke fondly of Stephen Cox, emphasizing his exceptional talent and the impact he had on the automotive art scene. Robert remarked, “Steve Cox was unbelievably talented. Almost all of my cars have some of his graphics on it. He did about 8 or 10 cars for us. People would walk up to my car and think the pinstripes were decals, that’s how great his work was.”

We also had the pleasure of speaking with Steve Longmire, who met Stephen Cox in 1984 when he did some pinstriping on the first truck that he said could afford to get pinstriped. After meeting for the first time, they instantly became friends.

Steve admired Stephen’s dedication and skill. He expresses those feelings here, “ I always admired his outlook for color. One time I had a metallic brown pickup that I wanted pinstriped. And I said, “Stephen, I want brown and tan pinstripes on it.” He looked at me and said, “Well, I won’t do it, you’re paying me to do what I do, not what you do.” So he put teal and orange pinstripes on it and it turned out beautifully. Once it was done, everywhere I went, everybody said, all those colors are perfect. So he had such a good eye for color and he was just a wonderful person.”

His pinstriping artistry reached far beyond the local community. Stephen’s work garnered national recognition, showcased at major car shows and motorcycle events across the country. The demand for his talent extended even to notable figures outside the automotive realm, demonstrating the universal appeal and admiration for his art. His intricate designs and attention to detail captivated audiences and became an integral part of the automotive culture.

Stephen Cox and Steven Longmire’s friendship went far beyond cars. They would meet often, share laughs, memories and talk about anything under the sun.

One day when they were at Stephen Cox business’ Steve Cox Custom Design, he shared something with Steve Longmire that he would never forget. “He told me a long time ago when we were sitting around his shop over on Glenwood and we would go over and we would talk about life, we talk about Jesus, we talk about church, we talk about the walks to a mass, we talk about our families. He told me one time, he said, “I want you to preach at my funeral.” And I told him, “I said I’d gladly do it if it doesn’t come too soon.” So, getting to preach his funeral was one of the biggest honors of my life because I considered him to be a true friend. He was a great talent, so well known, He pinstriped all over the country, New York, he even pinstriped at the Sturgis Motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. He was just a nationwide, known personality in the pinstriping community.”

Beyond his many talents, Stephen was also a great dad, a family man. He loved spending time with his children. In all, Stephen had 7 kids and 7 grandkids. He is survived by his wife, Voncille Hardy Cox, who he loved dearly.

He will truly be missed, but Stephen’s artistry and legacy will continue to inspire and influence those who appreciate the beauty of custom vehicles. His ability to transform vehicles into rolling works of art earned him respect and admiration both locally and nationally. The car community, driven by their shared passion, came together to honor him, showcasing their support and gratitude. Stephen’s journey from serving his country as a nurse and medic to becoming a celebrated pinstriper exemplifies the transformative power of pursuing one’s passion. His artistry will forever be remembered as a testament to the marriage of craftsmanship and creativity. Many car enthusiasts in the Big Country were fortunate to witness his remarkable talent, leaving an indelible mark on the automotive landscape. Stephen Richard Cox, a true artist, may have departed from this world, but his spirit lives on through the art he created on vehicles across the country and the hearts he touched.