Gladys Kohutek Cox

Gladys left this world on Saturday, September 26, 2026, but not without leaving behind a lifetime of laughter, love, and stories that will be told for generations.

She was quick-witted, full of humor, and had a way of finding the positive in even the most painful moments. Life could throw anything her way, and somehow she would still find something to learn, something to smile about, and something to laugh at. She never lost her laughter—and she never let you lose yours either.

Gladys had a gift—not just for seeing beauty, but for creating it. She loved antiquing, always on the hunt for someone else’s forgotten treasure, and somehow she could take pieces no one else would notice and turn them into something stunning, welcoming, and full of love. Her creativity showed up everywhere—from handmade wreaths and flower displays to a home that felt like a warm hug the moment you walked in.

She loved feeding people—truly feeding them—with home-cooked meals, sweet treats, and desserts that brought everyone together. Her home was the place for holidays, celebrations, and moments that turned into lifelong memories. And when it came to decorating, she didn’t hold back—especially at Christmas, when every room, every corner, and even every bathroom was filled with magic.

Gladys loved big and lived beautifully. She adored clothes, shoes, makeup, getting her hair and nails done—and always made sure everything matched just right, from her glasses to her purse. She didn’t just walk into a room—she arrived.

And if there was music? She was dancing. She could dance circles around most on a western dance floor, leading the line dances and gliding through a country waltz in a way that made people stop and watch.

She loved deeply—her family, her friends, and every soul who crossed her path. Decades ago, she opened her home to her kids’ friends, offering them a place to land, a meal, and love when they needed it most. Those “kids” grew up, but to Gladys, they were always hers.

She had a special place in her heart for animals—especially cats, with Clyde holding that top spot—but she made room for every stray that needed her, just like she did with people. And of course, she loved her grand-dogs just as much.

She found joy in the little things and the big adventures—shopping for the perfect gift, sending cards that always said exactly what you needed to hear, laughing with her girlfriends in Las Vegas, playing the slots in Oklahoma, listening to Neil Diamond, reading a good mystery, and joking about her love for Dateline and 20/20. She also loved road trips and discovering new weekend brunch spots, always on the lookout for her next favorite place to gather and enjoy good food with people she loved.

And if you were having a hard time? She’d let you feel it—but only for a couple days. Then she’d lovingly tell you to pull up your bootstraps and keep going.

Gladys loved traditions—keeping the old ones alive and creating new ones along the way. She made life feel special, celebrated, and full.

She is survived by her children, Travis Cox, Angela Wade, and Brad Wade; her sister, Clara Wiggins; and a large extended family who she loved and claimed as her own. Her legacy isn’t just in her family—it’s in every life she touched, every person she lifted, and every heart she made feel at home.

If you knew Gladys, you were loved by her. And if you were loved by her, you carry a piece of her light forever.

And that light? It’s never going out.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Gladys’s home on Saturday, October 10th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. All are welcome to stop by for a quick visit or stay and celebrate her life for the full time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson’s disease, breast cancer, leukemia, or animal charities in her honor.