Arland Jay Cox

Arland Jay Cox passed away at home on April 11, 2022. Arland was born in Carlsbad on November 13, 1953, to Jay and Ruby Jo Cox. Arland was raised at the Guadalupe Compressor Station, and helped his folks at Jay’s Shell Station.  With his brothers, Alan and Waylan, he had many adventures in the Guadalupes. Their father got the boys a donkey and a cart, and they learned animal handling and teamwork, along with the use of colorful language. Arland attended Van Horn High School and went to Sul Ross University.

Arland worked in Wyoming before returning to southeastern New Mexico, where he worked on Bill Gisler’s ranch for many years. Arland helped raise Robert and Cindy out on the ranch, and was a fixture of the Rocky Arroyo area. He was active in the Eddy County Fair with his kids. Arland and Stacy were married in 2001, and he spent the remainder of his years on the Shafer Ranch. Alan and Arland took an amazing trip to Alaska in the summer of 2008, where they traveled in an RV and enjoyed fishing.

Arland was a cowboy with a deep love of the land. He knew cattle and horses, as well as the many other skills a cowboy must have in order to keep a ranch running. He had a true knowledge of the country. He was a masterful gardener, and he was talented at identifying range plants. He was good with animals, and little children gravitated to him, as it was clear to see that he was a real cowboy. Often, children would inquire shyly about his horse. Arland was always obliging, and the children were thrilled to have met a real live cowboy.

Arland was a beloved friend to many, and was always fun to be around. He had a passion for the rodeo, especially bareback bronc riding. He loved hunting and fishing, and his family most of all. He will be profoundly missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Ruby Jo, and brother, Waylan. He is survived by his wife, Stacy, brother Alan and his wife Renee Cox of Brenham, TX, and children Cindy and husband David Phillips of Carlsbad, Robert and wife Patsy Widener of Carlsbad, Zane Biebelle of Carlsbad, and Walter Biebelle of Erie, CO; his grandchildren Clayton and Cody Cooke, and Wyatt and Mollie Widener; great-grandchildren Tucker and Braelynn Cooke; his nieces Alana and husband Scott Chowaniec of San Antonio, TX, and Jolene and husband James Curtis of Brenham, TX; and niece and nephew Jadean and Zach Latham. His grandnephews are Ryan and Liam Chowaniec and Evan and Kyle Curtis. 

The family will be hosting a visitation on Thursday, April 14, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00, and the graveside service will be on Friday, April 15, at the Carlsbad Cemetery at 3:00.