Friends University senior and Wesley child life specialist assistant, died Friday, May 25, 2007. Service, 1:30 P.M., Tuesday, May 29, Covenant Presbyterian Church. Kelly was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church and a counselor at Westminster Woods church camp. He was also active in the Olivet Baptist youth group, Friends University Campus Ministries, and a member of the Friends University soccer team. Kelly had a spirit of love that touched many lives from Wesley Medical Center to kids in Mexico, Thailand, and anywhere he had the opportunity. His smile was contagious and he knew no strangers. In all he did, he showed the love of God.

Survivors: parents, Thomas and Debra Cox of the home; sister and brother-in-law, Megan and Eric Sornson of Mission; grandparents, Frances Cox of Wichita, John and Jill Ledesma of Wellington, Virginia Campbell of Oxford, Barbara Johnson of Topeka; 15 aunts and uncles, numerous cousins, and countless friends.

the Listener. by kelly cox

imagine a world that had no ears

a place full of people but no one to hear

no way to talk, no way to sing

with no one to listen, who would we be?

all alone in our heads, no thoughts to share

on the faces of everyone, confusion and blank stares.

now imagine there’s a Man in all the world,

the only Man alive who could hear what He was told.

He walks city to city, He walks every day,

and listens kindly to what millions of people have to say.

on one afternoon no different from the rest

to your house came the Man, clean and plainly dressed.

the Man had grayed hair and weather worn skin.

His sandals showed signs of all the places He had been.

but something in His face just wasn’t the same;

its as if He knew me, as if He knew my name.

then all at once it struck me, He was the One!

the Man who could listen, the Listener had come!

the Man just stood there waiting for me to speak.

but what would i do, i couldn’t even think;

the thoughts in my head were all just a blur.

i was running out of time as the Man started to turn;

my chance to be heard, but nothing to say.

my heart began to sink as the Man walked away.

then through the clutter, one thought came to mind;

the only one that was clear, the only one i could find.

with no more uncertainty, i ran up to the Listener.

close to His ear, i spoke softly in a whisper.

the Man turned and looked at me with tears in His eyes.

He came close and whispered back, words that changed my life.

in a voice deep and kind, He said, I love you too, child.

and for the first time i could listen;

and for the first time i smiled.