Joseph Avery Cox

JOSEPH A. COX STAUNTON, VA Joseph Avery Cox, 87, husband of Alleen L. Cox, of Staunton, died Monday, November 28, 2011, at Augusta Health, Fishersville. He was born April 9, 1924, in Philadelphia, PA, a son of the late Joseph Avery and Blanche (Rule) Cox. He was raised in Vinton, VA by his grandparents, W. Hoyt and Sue Hash Cox and Aunt and Uncle Guide Cox Poff and Cedric Poff. As a young boy he became fascinated with airplanes. He built and flew model airplanes for many years and was a licensed pilot. Mr. Cox served in the U. S. Marine Corps in the Pacific during World War II in battles for Guadalcanal, New Britain, and Pelilu, where he was wounded. After recuperation, he was a drill instructor at Parris Island Marine Base. He was awarded the Purple Heat, American Campaign Medal with four bronze stars, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He moved to Staunton in 1947 and was employed by Merita Bread Company. Prior to retirement, he was employed by Dod Distributing and Blue Ridge Beverage Company. He was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church where he served as an usher and assistant Sunday school superintendent. He was a charter member of Stonewall Detachment Marine Corps League, DAV, VFW, and Staunton Augusta Radio Control Club. He planted and cared for flowers at the south entrance to College Circle for 40 years. He and his wife visited homebound and nursing home residents for 20 years. In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Avery Cox, III. In addition to his wife, whom he married on October 18, 1948, family members include a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia Cox and Kenneth Massie; a granddaughter, Denise Massie Mitchell and her husband, Donald; a grandson, Joseph Travis Massie and his wife, Candice; great grandchildren, Sara and Clay Mitchell, Savannah and Kendall Massie; step great granddaughter, Emily Mitchell; a brother, John Cox and his wife, Eva; and a number of nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, December 2, 2011, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church by the Rev. Jeff Allen. Burial will follow at Thornrose Cemetery. Graveside rites will be conducted by the Stonewall Detachment Marine Corps League. Active pallbearers will be Steve Coffman, John Dod, Burk Hershey, Michael Fields, Rev. Warren Grant, Fee Detamore, Billy Cupp, and Douglas Nance. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Stonewall Detachment Marine Corps League, ushers of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, and Dr. James Higgs. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, December 1, 2011, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, P.O. Box 937, Verona, VA 24482, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 2000 Shuttlerlee Mill Road, Staunton, VA 24401, or to Stonewall Detachment Marine Corp League, 216 College Circle, Staunton, VA 24401.