Hazel Louise Fulton Cox Dec. 8, 1938 – Oct. 20, 2018

Hazel Louise Fulton Cox was born to Cecil James Fulton and Josephine Hammond Fulton in Dwight, Kan., on Dec. 8, 1938, the youngest of nine siblings. She passed peacefully on October 20, 2018.

Hazel went to elementary and high school in Dwight, where she was at the top of her class, a cheerleader and an avid sprinter.

After high school she moved to Hutchinson, Kan., where she worked her way through Hutchinson Business College as a soda fountain girl.

She met Frank D. Cox at a church social, dated him for three months, and they were married on August 28, 1958.

After their marriage, Hazel worked at a local TV station while Frank finished college. When he graduated they moved to Tulsa, where their first daughter, Cynthia Rene Cox, was born. Shortly after her birth, they returned to Hutchinson, then moved to Junction City, Salina and Manhattan, Kan., as Frank was transferred with Metropolitan Life Insurance. Their second daughter, Kelly Denise Cox was born in Manhattan in 1961, and they moved to Topeka, where Hazel worked as a private secretary while Frank attended Washburn University. Hazel was also the personal secretary for the president and CEO of a national mail order firm in Kansas City, Mo.

In 1968 the family moved to Dallas where Hazel was personal secretary for the owner of Corbett Lighting Company.

In 1974, they moved to Eureka Springs, where Hazel’s true genius and talent became obvious. She and Frank bought the Old Red Brick School House on Kansas Street, with three floors of 3600 sq. ft. each. The middle floor was their residence, and on the first floor Hazel opened an art gallery.

On the evening of June 30, 1988, lightning struck the schoolhouse and burned everything but the brick walls and unique fire escape.

In 1997, Frank and Hazel moved to Santa Fe, where they both became Realtors. They returned to Eureka Springs in 2004, retiring to Beaver Lake.

Hazel was unique and multi-talented, and had a deep respect for the artistic energy in Eureka Springs.

Hazel is survived by Frank, her husband of 60 years; two daughters; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. At her request, a private service for family and close friends will be held. Memorial donations to the Eureka Springs Hospital are appreciated.