During the Oklahoma Music Educators Association's state convention in Tulsa, Jan. 18-20, Kenneth Cox, long time Altus resident and retired Altus vocal music teacher, was inducted into the OMEA Hall of Fame. This honor is bestowed upon outstanding Oklahoma choral and instrumental directors that have committed their lives to teaching music and to Oklahoma students.

Criteria for the laureates includes years of service to Oklahoma school music and to the organization, leadership, and dedication to the art of music.

Cox received a bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma City University, a master of music degree from the University of North Texas, and 16 hours as a Doctoral candidate from the University of Oklahoma.

He taught vocal music for two years in Mangum and 35 years in the Altus Public School System.

Upon retiring in 1996, he assisted his wife Nancy, for five years as an adjunct teacher at Altus Junior High.

He is a past president for the Oklahoma Choral Directors Association and the Oklahoma Music Educators Association. He also served as All-State Chorus Chair and Vocal Vice President for the OMEA. From 1988 to 1990, Cox served as President of the Southwestern Division of the American Choral Directors Association and was recently named Editor of the Common Times Newsletter, the official publication of the Southwest Division of the American Choral Directors Association.

His choirs have won the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association's Choral Sweepstakes Award eight times. Additionally his choirs have sung honor performances for five OMEA Conventions, the U.S Capitol, the United Nations, and the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. They have also competed and placed in competitions in Dallas, Texas and Nashville, Tennessee.

He received the “Outstanding Young Educator” Award from the Altus Jaycees, the “Director of Distinction” Award from the Oklahoma Choral Directors Association, and the “Distinguished Service” Award from the Oklahoma Music Educators Association. He also served as Chair of Fine Arts at Altus High School for five years.

Cox has served as co-director of the Altus Community Chorus and was the Minister of Music at the First United Methodist Church for ten years from 1976-1986. He has assumed that position, once again, for the F.U.M.C. of Altus.

Since his retirement in 1996 Cox has served as adjudicator in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri. He and his wife Nancy have one daughter, Jeri Lyn, who resides in Dallas.