Horseman
In the Quarter Horse racing world, Bobby Cox is a household name. The Fort Worth, Texas, resident has been running—and winning—with quarter horses since the 1970s. Currently an American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame member, Cox is adding another feather to his cap with the induction to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
He is the third all-time leading breeder of racing Quarter Horses, according to AQHA, and has bred more than 60 stakes-winning horses. Since 2000, Cox has earned more than $10 million as a racehorse owner, according to Equibase.
In 2004, Cox was named AQHA’s Owner of the Year and in 2010, the Texas Quarter Horse Association named him the Accredited Texas Breeder of the Year for his horses’ performances in 2009. Influential horses Cox oversaw include 2001 stallion Brimmerton and 2004 gelding Don't Let Down, both of which won the All American Derby (G1).
Cox is a Navy veteran and an accomplished businessman, owning familiar brands such as Taco Villa and Rosa’s Café & Tortilla Factory, which has more than 50 locations across Texas and surrounding states.
Birthday Celebration / Story Quilt for Bobby Dan Cox
Commissioned by: Debi Arias
Designed and Quilted by: Wanda Jennings
Presented: 8-15-2014
Note: Subtly hand quilted into the center of the quilt are Bobby’s initials, “BDC” plus his date of birth, “8 15 1934”. The remainder is machine quilted for strength and endurance.
The Story
Beginning with the top middle block, God’s word from Jeremiah 29:11 relates, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you…plans to give you hope and a future…” We can be certain God said this over Bobby the day he was born.
The next block underneath displays Bobby’s picture as a little boy, surrounded by horses, a love since childhood when his dad gave him his first.
The third center block reveals Bobby’s personality “colors”: first gold, then either green or blue (depending upon the circumstance) and finally, orange. Nestled inside his “colors” are the words of his Choices “stretch” song, “If I can Dream” by Elvis Presley. Bobby is the ultimate “Dream Manager”.
The last middle block is a compilation of three of Bobby’s successful businesses: Texas Burger, Taco Villa and Rosa’s Café, together with the uniting piece, “Bobby and Leona Cox” inscribed beneath their racing silks.
The upper left block is a tribute to Bobby Cox Companies, Inc. which has two offices: the West Texas Operations office located in Midland, Texas and the Fort Worth Corporate Office located in its newly built “Augustus Plaza”. This office building was named by Bobby in honor and in loving memory of his dad, Augustus “Gus” Cox.
The upper right block salutes Texas Burger, established in 1967 in Odessa, Texas. Home of the best Jalapeno Burger ever!
The second block down on the left celebrates Bobby’s Mexican fast food sensation, Taco Villa, created in Odessa, Texas in 1968. When you have a case of the “Hungries”…“mild, wild, hot or not…taste what Taco Villa’s got!”
The second block down on the right reminds us of the success Bobby has enjoyed with Rosa’s Café from its beginnings in West Texas to its ultimate expansion into the DFW and Central Texas markets, plus Temecula, California.
The third block down on the left is in recognition of the beneficial decision to purchase and ultimately sell the Austin, Texas based sandwich company, Schlotzsky’s.
The third block down on the right is a tribute to a great idea of Bobby’s to become a Major Video franchisee. The “glory days” of video rental. A time that included the highly anticipated annual VSDA Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada with its lavish movie studio parties and presentations plus the opportunity to see movie stars.
The final block down on the left captures a fun time shared by Bobby’s Blockbuster Video store managers. The gathering was dubbed, “The Great Escape” after the classic movie by the same name.
The ending block down on the right side is a caricature of Bobby “in his element” at Cox Ranch near Peaster, Texas. Not long after he purchased the ranch, he was heard to comment, “This is like Paradise!”
In addition to the t-shirts selected, other fabrics were chosen with careful consideration. First, on the reverse side of the quilt, the backing fabric is made of cream (like Bobby enjoys in his daily cup of coffee) with wine colored tulips. The pattern is called, “Tulip Festival.” Tulips are one of the most admired and beloved flowers around the world, symbolic of fame and perfect love. They are representative of eternal life and are the heralds of spring. Tulips are a strong statement of congratulations to those who have made significant accomplishments; a sign of growth and new opportunities. In the 1600’s, Netherlands, tulips were a symbol of wealth and status and were traded like currency. A bed of tulips could buy a small house. Some highly prized tulips were even more valuable and a single bulb could be traded for a large house, plus the land, furniture and other accessories that went with it! Bobby has been known to appreciate the beauty of tulips.
The green inner border on the front of the quilt represents the indescribable gift (II Corinthians 9:15) with which God has blessed Bobby to abundantly care for his family and supply jobs for thousands of employees. He is a generous benefactor to local food banks in the communities where he has retail establishments. Bobby regularly assists orphans and lepers in India in addition to orphan children in Kenya. Through Smile Train and 20/20/20, Bobby is also committed to help children in third world countries by giving them a new smile plus the ability to see. He is an excellent role model of one who has a giving heart. Proverbs 19:17 says, “whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”
The outer border of rich cinnamon and gold on the face of the quilt is an indication of how Bobby’s presence adds spice and worth.
Each quilt block is arranged “on point”, resembling the shape of a diamond. This is synonymous with quality and value. In an abundance of ways, Bobby has added value to the lives of those he touches.
The main fabric on the front of the quilt is a swirling blend of rich reds, golds, ivories, browns and blacks in a unique feather-like pattern. This signifies a lifetime full of many family, friends and business relationships under God’s protective wings. Psalms 91:4 says, “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings shall you trust; His truth shall be your shield.” Psalms 36:7 states, “How priceless is Your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.” Isaiah 40:31 proclaims, “But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint.” Further, Ruth 2:12 reads, “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” And, in God’s word, Psalms 91:16 conveys, “With long life will he be rewarded; and I will let him see my salvation.”
Indeed, before Bobby was formed in his mother’s womb, God knew him. Before he was born, the Lord set him apart to be used for God’s Glory (Jeremiah 1:5).
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOBBY!”