May 27th, 2008 - 10:36 PM (9:36 AM EST) by Craig
Dad went quietly on to heaven at 22:18 Tuesday in his hospital room overlooking the Takamatsu that he loved, and the Inland Sea, which he and mother crossed over by ferry 53 years ago.
We have all had a wonderful time together these last few days. All of your comments, letters and well-wishes were read to him during these last days and all of us were reminded of the many lives that God has touched through him. Thank you for your continued prayers over this past month and especially this week. He went without any pain and that was a wonderful answer to prayer.
Representative of the many who came was a Japanese man who came into the room just before dad passed away, and all he could do was kneel down, hold dad’s hand and say, “Thank you. Thank you.” over and over again with tears streaming down his face. I know this is how so many people feel.
Detailed announcements of the funeral arrangements will be posted at a later date on this site, but there will be a funeral service in Takamatsu on Saturday, May 31st at 2:00 P.M. and a memorial service in Tokyo the following Saturday, June 7th.
Yesterday a hero of the faith received his just and good reward - entrance into the presence of His Savior -- I am talking about Ralph Cox. Ralph has served in Japan for over 50 years. He and Stella have been apart of a massive church planting effort since the end of the Korean War when the door way to Asia opened up. Just amonth ago he was diagnosed with cancer and yesterday he went home to the Lord. Providentially, in February we sent over our dear Bruce helland, an 80 year old retired missionary who wanted to spend the rest of his life serving the people of Japan. What a blessing to have him there to support the Coxes while the face what he went through exactly a year ago. Bruce wrote the following:
Well done RALPH - welcome home!!