Thomas R. Cox, 72, of Topeka, passed away June 15, 2019, in Lenexa, Kansas. Cox enlisted in the Air Force October of 1963 and was first deployed as a photo systems technician with the 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, supporting missions flown over North Vietnam.After returning for a brief stint with Strategic Air Command at Turner Air Force Base, he was stationed at Forbes Field in Topeka as an electronic warfare systems specialist. It was then that he transitioned to the Kansas Air National Guard, and in 1978 was included in the first group of boom operators for the KC-135 Stratotanker. He deployed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 1990 with the 190th Air Refueling Wing for Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Cox retired from military service in August 1994, but continued on in civil service in the Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory for several more years. Cox spent many years building and racing cars and motorcycles; with some time left for playing his guitar. Later in life, and right up until the end; he was a true-blue Royals fan. He is survived by: daughter Virginia Dorsey and son-in-law Matt; grandchildren Jacob Swinney, great-grandson Leo, Janessa Meeks and her husband Tyler Meeks; great-granddaughter Olivia; daughter Sherry Cox; granddaughter Lacee Araujo and great-grandson Christopher; brother Alton Cox and sister-in-law Debby Cox; sister Sarah Huddleston; and brother-in-law Ray Huddleston. You may visit https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/cjonline/obituary.aspxn=thomas-r-cox&pid=193218356 to leave a message or photo for Tom's family and friends: Graveside services with full military honors will be 1:30 p.m., Thursday, June 27, at the Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Rd., Leavenworth.