- Higgins Funeral Home - https://higginsfh.com -

Daniel Benjamin Cox

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.

Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.

Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.”

Chief Tecumseh

On April 25, 2019 our hero went home. Loved by many, and always will be, Daniel Benjamin Cox had a zest for life that permeated to everyone around him.

On March 9, 1980, a beautiful boy was born, and so the epic life of Daniel Benjamin Cox began. From his eclectic collection of animals, to hunting, music, art, comics, floating the river, and way too many movies, books, and TV series to list, his life was full and overflowing.

Dan is survived by his father, Jerry Cox; sister, Stephanie Balcom (Damann); nieces, Jordan Cox Moser (Fabio) and Katie Stewart; nephew, Connor Stewart; loving girlfriend, Alicia Barrett and her beautiful children, Lily and Max; 60 Snakes; 10 Hedgehogs; 1 Bearded Dragon; 1 Pac Man Frog; 4 Cats; 4 dogs including Gus and Lola his beloved bulldogs; and his many friends he chose to be a part of his family .

His mother, Pam Cox, preceded Dan in death, and I am sure they are having a grand time catching up right now.

Live your life and risk it all, take some chances, take the fall, take your time, no need to hurry, have some fun, and never worry”

A memorial service for Dan, age 39, of Fayetteville, TN, will be held at 4 PM on Saturday, May the 4th, 2019 at Higgins Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 3 PM until time of service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Dan Cox Memorial Art Scholarship, C/O First Bank, PO Box 116, Fayetteville, TN 37334 or American Heart and Stroke Associations, Attn: Stephanie Cline, 6275 University Blvd, Huntsville, AL 35806. These will be directed to the Lincoln County Heart and Stroke account.

16 Comments (Open | Close)

16 Comments To "Daniel Benjamin Cox"

#1 Comment By Valarie McCann On April 26, 2019 @ 6:25 pm

The light in my life got a little dimmer yesterday. You would be so mad at me for crying like a girl. I promise you I will get that light back and more. I will live life in the moment and enjoy every minute. Thank you for being you and teaching me so much.

Until then….I’m out, Deuces

One of your wives,

Val

#2 Comment By Alena On April 26, 2019 @ 7:28 pm

Will miss you Dan!! You were the absolute best to work with, and it was so fun getting to know you over all these years. I will miss all your funny stories too. Would’ve loved to have met you in person. My Prayers & thoughts go out to your family and friends… hugs..

#3 Comment By Barbara Broads On April 26, 2019 @ 7:30 pm

Daniel was one of the good ones. The human race needs more Daniels. I am glad I got to see him that Saturday long enough for a smile and a hi but sad I didn’t have time to talk thinking there would be time later. Sometimes there is no later. I sold him his first hedgehogs, he sold me my first fancy ASF. We traded other stuff, made it a lunch event once to meet Alicia and eat yummy BBQ. My fiance and I both thought the world of him and his passing leaves a hole in many lives. Our passion for animals made us friends and I will miss sharing it with him. Hug my critters waiting for me over there please my friend.

#4 Comment By Tonya Pierce On April 26, 2019 @ 8:01 pm

Dan made my life so much fuller. I met him during a dark time in my life but he made my life such more enjoyable. He was my best guy-friend. He had a wicked sense of humor & was a great friend to many. I will miss him forever.

#5 Comment By Sabrina On April 26, 2019 @ 8:28 pm

We met in 7th grade at Canyon Park Junior High in Bothell. I remember you bringing baby boas to Mr. Akiyama’s shop class. All things science and learning all the time. After graduation, though you moved there was always a little connection. A vet question or two from you for those damn bulldogs always sparked an interesting conversation. Usually ending with me telling you what a train wreck they are and how my border collies were better. I’ll miss you, bud. You shouldn’t have left us so soon. My heart goes out to all of your family and friends who are mourning your loss. See you on the other side.

#6 Comment By Moose On April 26, 2019 @ 10:29 pm

Gonna miss you buddy. I remember the bbq comps, floating the river, hanging out after hours at Edz and lots of trivia wins!

#7 Comment By Chuck and Dale Folk On April 26, 2019 @ 10:52 pm

Oh Dan, they say only the good die young, well in your case that is the absolute truth. Chuck and I will miss you and hope and pray that you are enjoying time with your mom. You were an amazing person and a great human being. We will all miss you more than you could ever have thought but we will never forget you, friend rest well. I know Chucks gonna miss you at Ed’z.

#8 Comment By Brandon Grieves On April 26, 2019 @ 10:52 pm

I’m thankful to have met Dan!! He has taught me a lot about patience when dealing with difficulties. When it comes to attitude about life, be like Dan.

#9 Comment By Chuck and Dale Folk On April 26, 2019 @ 10:58 pm

We will miss you so much our friend. You were called home way to soon, but we will think of you often and always with a smile. Rest well friend.

#10 Comment By Terry Lambert On April 27, 2019 @ 12:15 am

To put it simply, you were my friend. And I don’t have many friends.
I miss you buddy. The world is darker for your absence.

I can count on one hand all the genuinely good people I’ve known in my life. And now the world has one less.

Until we meet again in the next life….

#11 Comment By Carissa Cosley On April 27, 2019 @ 6:13 am

I have no words but pure shock at loosing Daniel ,
He was my friend and I looked forward to our critter hang out time and swapping rodents ,the expos, the snakes he did so well with and the jokes .he will be so greatly missed ! Love ya buddy

#12 Comment By Cori On April 27, 2019 @ 7:42 am

I didn’t know Daniel, but as a fellow animal lover (ferrets, cats, dogs, mice, and snakes), I had to send my condolences. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

#13 Comment By Dianne Ables Parker On April 28, 2019 @ 12:11 am

Cox Family
This is the most beautiful obituary I have ever read‼️‼️‼️
So sorry for your loss, but I celebrate with you in this young man’s life?????

#14 Comment By Martie Warner On April 29, 2019 @ 3:48 pm

Daniel had a attitude that led to showing his personality full of life. He loved his Dad and sister very much. I am very thankful to have known him and see the humor and smiles he gave to everyone who knew him.

#15 Comment By Stephen S On May 1, 2019 @ 10:42 pm

I worked with Dan at the shop about a million years ago and lived near him when he first moved to town. He was much younger and I remember that he was a quirky dude that loved snakes and “nerdy” stuff and didn’t really encourage anyone to come over to his place. I think it was about a year before I ever saw the inside of his apartment. We eventually became better friends/coworkers and I actually got to hang out with him at his place, maybe a time or two.

At the shop, Dan worked in the front and I worked in the back, but we had many days where we worked together printing shirts and other projects. Even though we all spent long days doing our various tasks, Dan was always willing to help me out when I needed an extra set of hands. During those time, we chatted a bunch about where we were from, he from Washington and I from California and what we missed about our hometowns. We talked about life in the ‘ville, movies, video games, and believe it or not, snakes. Sometimes he even brought one to work and freaked out most of us. (“Why did it have to be snakes?” – I. Jones).

I Remember Dan was a very loyal person and was always willing to help with the minimal amount of sighing possible. I’m talking call him at 3 AM and need a ride kind of help. He was also the guy that you felt good being loyal to and helping him out when he had a need. Dan enjoyed his time with his family and all the friends that he gathered throughout the years. I would like to think that I had met some great people who I would not have otherwise met, had it not been through the connection to Dan. I can only imagine how that group of friends has increased exponentially over the years.

Even tough I moved away from the area long ago and only occasionally talked to Dan, it saddens me me just as strong as it would had I still lived there. A shining light has left this dimension and the world has lost a jolly source of laughter and quirkiness. To all his family, friends, coworkers and frenemies, I offer my deepest condolences and hope that a strength in numbers will help everyone rise above the sorrow of this loss.

If you are reading this, know that we all share a common thread and we all can work together to keep the memory of Dan alive. Tell a funny story about that time he did that thing. Float the river. Kiss a snake. Grill some burgers. Put his picture on the Offerta like in the movie, “Coco”. Just remember when you are able to remember.

Rest in Light, Dan.

Peace Out!

#16 Comment By Liz F On May 3, 2019 @ 6:45 pm

Dan was a year younger than me. He died on my birthday. That same evening, the daughter of a business partner and his wife was born. It was a strange day that offered a glimpse into the full gamut of life and death. It all left me feeling a little adrift, a little sad, and a little grateful for every day that we have. Life is short; the good ones go too soon and happiness is worth finding and holding on to.

I hadn’t talked to Dan in a while, but for a few years that feel frozen in time, we worked closely together at NDesigns making art and making shirts and making people smile. We were all refugees from bigger towns and other places, but Dan seemed to fit right in as if he had always been there. His loyalty, generosity, humor, and good nature were a gift and his presence made every day more entertaining and fun.

It’s easy to see, even from afar, the impact that Dan made on all the friends and family he made along the way. His life was way too short, but if the measure of a life is the love you leave behind, then I know his was well-lived.