Obituary of Cecil Haddox

Services for Lt. Col. Cecil F. Haddox, Lufkin, formerly of the Concord community, near Troup, are scheduled for 11:00 am, Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at the Concord Cumberland Presbyterian Church on FM 856, near Troup, with the Rev. Skip Stutts officiating. Burial, with military honors, will be in the Concord Cemetery, under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home, Troup. Lt. Col. Haddox, died February 3, 2006 at Pinecrest Retirement Community in Lufkin, Texas. He was born August 25, 1921, in Star City, Arkansas, to the late John B. and Evan M. Haddox, and grew up in Abilene, Texas. He lived in the Concord community for 30 years prior to moving to Lufkin in 2001.Haddox was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Allison M. Haddox, on August 28, 2002; brothers, Searcy Haddox, Glenn Haddox, and Art Haddox; and sisters, Veda Williams and Jettye Tidwell. Haddox is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and Brian McClain of Lufkin, Brenda and Dan Cole of Tyler, and Pamela and David Stokes of Lufkin; grandsons Scott McClain and wife Michele of Flower Mound, Todd McClain of Winter Park, Fl., and Patrick Stokes of Lufkin; great- grandchildren, Lauren McClain of Winter Park, Fl., Conner McClain and Carson McClain, both of Flower Mound; a sister, Melba Warrach of Mesquite; and many nieces and nephews. Haddox received his Bachelor of Science Degree and Master of Education Degree from McMurry College in Abilene with a major in school administration. He also attended Academic Instructor School at the Air University in Montgomery, Al; Texas Technology College in Lubbock, where he later became an instructor and assistant professor; and was a guest lecturer at the Air Force War College. Haddox retired from three different career fields during his lifetime; the United States Air Force, the United States Civil Service, and the Texas Education System. He served on active duty in the Air Force from 1940 to 1953 working in the areas of intelligence, administration, education and training. He also was Chief of the Volunteer Air Reserve Training Program for the State of Indiana. During World War II, he was stationed in Newfoundland as an intelligence officer tracking enemy submarines off the coast of Newfoundland and also served in the South Pacific. He retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve as Lieutenant Colonel in Aug. 1981. During his Civil Service career, Haddox was principal and/or superintendent of Overseas Dependents Schools at Pepperell AFB and Harmon AFB in Newfoundland; Bitburg, Germany; and Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. He was also an Education Specialist for the Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan; and was Base Education Services Officer at Goose Bay in Labrador. Following his Civil Service Career retirement, Haddox fulfilled his lifelong dream of having a farm by moving to the rural community of Concord near Troup. He returned to work as a teacher, soon becoming the high school principal where he remained until another retirement in 1988. After retiring, he continued to serve by holding a position on the Carlisle ISD School Board and was a volunteer fireman for the Carlisle Volunteer Fire Department. Haddox's faith was an integral part of his life. He accepted Christ as his personal savior at the age of 11. As an adult, he was active in church wherever he lived often serving as a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. He was an active member of the Concord Cumberland Presbyterian Church near Troup, serving as an Elder, Church Treasurer and Sunday School Superintendent. He influenced the lives of many people during his lifetime, setting the example by living the expectations, standards and values he set for himself and others. The Family wishes to thank the Staff of the Pinecrest Retirement Center in Lufkin for the loving care that they provided. Pallbearers will be Gailon Johnston, Larry Martin, Harold Hawkins, Tony Martin, Barry Burton, Tim Mager James Moyers and Michael House. Honorary Pallbearers will be Russell Martin, Don Moon, Col. Lyn Buckner and the Rev. M.H. Klink.