Man Of The Year

Man Of The Year DENNIS COX

Dennis Cox, loves his Lord, his family and his community

BY | REGINA BUTLER

Spend a few moments with Pontotoc’s Man of the Year and it doesn’t take long to figure out that he loves God, his family (especially his grandson, Knox) and his community.

Dennis Cox was chosen by the readers of the Pontotoc Progress for this honor.

He couldn’t believe it when he was told. “I thought Angie was joking when she called me and told me,” he said. “But when she said she was serious, I was humbled that people would give me this honor.”

Cox is the son of Larry and Dianne Cox. He was born and raised in Pontotoc and graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1984. He is married to Melanie [Austin] Cox.

“My wife is the daughter of the late Billy Austin who worked at the Pontotoc Hospital for many years,” he said.

“We have been blessed with two beautiful daughters. Kaitlyn is married to Forrest Williams and they have a two-year-old son, Knox. Karis is getting her Masters Degree at Mississippi State.”

He grinned broadly as he reflected on the blessings of the Lord in his life, “other than being a Christian my greatest joy would have to be my family. I also love my home town where you know everyone.”

And serving his hometown is something he learned at a very early age. “I grew up serving the public,” he said.

“My daddy had Larry’s Quick Stop there on the corner of Oxford and Main and I was the little short kid checking everyone out when they came to the store.”

He paused and smiled thoughtfully. “My dad always said ‘Be nice to everyone. They pay your bills.’”

Cox said that his mom and dad lived what they believed. “I know right from wrong because of how they lived.”

When Cox likes to relax you will find him in the woods or on the lake bank fishing for the big one.

His eyes twinkled. “I like to hunt elk out west,” he said. And his prowess is evidenced through photographs of the big one he has brought down.

“I also like to hunt doves and deer.”

But what he really loves to do is spend time with his children.

“When my girls were in high school I told them to bring their friends to our house. I’d get out and grill and we would spend time together. My most important mission with them was to teach them to be ethical with Christian values.”

And before they started pursuing careers of their own, Cox said he advised them to “enjoy what you do;” and to also live the life of Jesus in front of others. If you have that in line, then everything else falls into place.”

He carries his ethics and doing the right thing to others throughout his walk in life, especially at work.

Cox said that he loves his job as a TM (Tommy Morgan) real estate agent, “If I’m selling a house, I won’t just sell any house to a person. I don’t want them to buy the wrong house. If a couple is looking, I tell them to be patient until the right house comes up. A home is the biggest investment you make not only of money but of time, energy and talent. It’s where you come to get away from the world.”

Before he was a realtor he worked in the construction business for some 20 years.

“My background in construction has given me the knowledge to assist people in their search for a home,” Cox pointed out. The expertise he has allows him to “help people see construction problems or potential issues that gives my clients confident that I want to find them a good home, not just sell them a house.”

He laughed heartily. “I love meeting people. I enjoy being around them, and especially the kids.”

A member of Buckhorn Church of Christ, Cox said that people should heed what the word of God says.

“God never changes. His word never changes. We may try to change it, but that doesn’t work. His word is a constant that we can rely upon every day.”

Since Dennis Cox has been chosen as man of the year, he also has another special honor connected with this title. He gets to lead the Pontotoc City Christmas Parade as the Grand Marshall of the parade this December.