[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 170 (Friday, October 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1392-E1393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF KENNETH ANTONIO ``TONY'' COXEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 12, 2018

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
of a man that dedicated himself to this country and the people of 
Mississippi. Kenneth Antonio ``Tony'' Coxey, a native of Monroe County 
Mississippi, passed away on Monday, September 24, 2018.
  Tony graduated from Smithville High School in 1994. In April of 1996, 
at the age of 20, he decided to join the Mississippi Army National 
Guard. He proudly served this country for over 20 years. In 1999, Tony 
joined the Amory Police Department and began his career in law 
enforcement. He was a devoted patrolman for the city of Amory, as well 
as a part-time patrolman with the Smithville Police Department.
  Tony's law enforcement career was interrupted in 2004 when he 
received his orders to serve our nation in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
After serving for 18 months in Fallujah, Iraq, with the 155th Armored 
Brigade Combat Team, Tony returned home to serve as a road deputy with 
the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. He later transferred to the 
Narcotics Division and became a Lieutenant.
  Tony returned to Iraq from 2009-2010 as Personal Security Detachment 
for Colonel William ``Bill'' Glasgow. In 2011, he deployed to NATO 
(Bosnia) as Personal Security Detachment for General Gary E. Huffman. 
Shortly after, Tony retired from the Mississippi Army National Guard as 
an SFC E-7.
  After his final deployment, Tony returned home and began working for 
the Alabama and Gulf Coast Railway. While working, Tony was involved in 
a serious train accident that left him fighting for his life. With the 
help of God and against all odds, Tony made a remarkable recovery. He 
used this accident to tell his story about how God pulled him through 
to anyone that would listen.

[[Page E1393]]

  Tony was truly a man of God and was always ready to share his faith. 
His incredible love for God, his family, his country, and his community 
was shown through his works. Tony was a man who was wise beyond his 
years; he was a man who had a contagious smile and could bring laughter 
on dreary days. He made an impact on his community that will not be 
forgotten.
  Tony is survived by his mother, Darlene Kelton (Jerry); sister, 
Charlene Holt; brothers, Craig Coxey (Tonia), Michael Coxey (Ashley); 
grandmother, Louise Oliver; and several nieces and nephews.

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