Bishop Richard E. Cox was born on October 4, 1948, Middletown, Ohio to the late Eugene and Amanda (Day) Cox. He departed this life suddenly, May 2, 2026 at Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, Ohio. 8:02am, at the age of 77. God graciously came and escorted His Son to his heavenly home. In the conversation they had, God said, "You have fought a good fight and you have finished your course."

Bishop Richard Cox was a loving and devoted husband and family man, Passionate Civil Rights Leader and a Foot Soldier for Justice, always standing up for his community wherever he was, in the city, State, and Abroad. He stated an old school song, If I can help somebody along the way, then my living will not be in vain.

Bishop Richard E. Cox was called to ministry at the age of 12, at United Missionary Baptist Church, Middletown Ohio, under Rev. James Holloman. He has been a clergyman for 67 years. He has served the African Methodist Episcopal church (AME) as pastor for 30 years, He pastored churches in Ohio, West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania and Northwest Florida. He was consecrated and elected a Bishop in 2000 by First Bible Greater Outreach Church and Bible college with churches in Ohio, Florida, and Tennessee. Bishop Cox also supervised pastors in the Ohio area.

He is a graduate of Wilberforce University with a B.S. in Sociology; He has a Master of Arts from Antioch University, MDIV at Payne Theological Seminary, Doctor of Theological Studies (DTS) and PhD at First Bible College where he was the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Bishop Cox has won numerous Civil Rights cases. He has received numerous awards and certificates for his community involvement, some of which have been presented by National Organizations. He has spoken and preached throughout the United States, Japan, Bahamas, Korea, Beirut, Lebanon, and London, England.

Bishop Cox served on the Steering Committee of Dayton Dialogue on Race Relations (DDRR), as a training facilitator on Race Relations and was trained in the Kingian philosophy of non-violence. In 2006 he was inducted into the Local Civil Rights Hall of Fame at the 49th National Convention held in Dayton, Ohio. Bishop Cox was the former President of the Dayton Chapter of SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) and SCLC National Board Member, and Founder of the Parenthood Ministries in 1999.

Bishop Richard Cox was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Marie Jett, Naomi Cox, Saba Cox, Six brothers, Willie James Cox, Louie Cox, William Cox, John Cox, Darnell Cox, Leon Cox, and a niece, Debra Johnson.

To cherish his memory, he leaves to mourn the Love of his Life, 19 years of marriage, Apostle Gloria Wright- Cox, Dayton, Ohio, three step-daughters: Crystal Bryant, Curtrina Randleman and Stacy Wright, all of Sandusky, OH, his Special Daughter Kendra Long, Cincinnati, OH, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.