His story triggered a full-on panic. It was terrifying at first. The trio will meet for the first time within the next 10 days, Simmons said. At Beth Cox's request, Abilene Christian University on Jan. 8 spread the word of her husband's miraculous resurfacing. Recalling the missing man with much warmth and fondness, Cox's Abilene friends rejoiced.
Questions arise The miracle has lost some luster in the two weeks since.
Also, graduates of Freed-Hardeman University, the Tennessee school where Cox taught, insist they would have recognized Cox if the Memphis media had published his photo. They say thousands of Freed-Hardeman alumni live in Memphis, which is 85 miles east of the school. Cox couldn't offer an explanation Saturday. Like Cox, the rancher is a Texas Tech alumnus. He couldn't explain why she called Tech, other than to say she noticed he seemingly had a slight Texas accent.