Larry Gibbs Cox

Former Knoxville City Councilman and businessman Larry Gibbs Cox, 81, who was widely known for his generosity and kindness to everyone he met, passed away on October 18, 2023, at Sacred Ground Hospice. Larry was dedicated to his family and to helping others. He loved his family, his church, his Oakwood-Lincoln Park community, his city and helping young people.

Larry was owner and president of Homestead, Inc., a wholesale food distributor in Knoxville, and a retail business, Chicken City. He was principal owner of Cox Family Rental.

A true public servant, Larry served five terms on City Council from 1984 to 2003 and also was a field representative for U.S. Representative John J. (Jimmy) Duncan. On Council, Larry was known as a strong advocate for his Fifth District, obtaining funding for many needed improvements in the neighborhood and personally handling many of the constituent concerns that came his way. He was a member of several mayoral task forces for North and East Knoxville parks. The Larry Cox Field at Christenberry and the Larry Cox Senior Center bear his name. He was the definition of a servant leader.

Larry wasn’t just a member of many nonprofit community organizations; he was a committed volunteer and fund raiser.

Larry was a lifelong supporter of his alma mater, Fulton High School, and its athletic programs. A 1960 graduate of Fulton, he played football for four years with the Falcons. When Fulton won a state championship, Larry would spearhead fund raising for championship rings for the athletes. For more than 30 years, he was a leader of the Knoxville Falcons Youth Athletics Program. He spent countless hours handing out uniforms and working with the young people who were part of the program. He was a big fan of the Tennessee Vols.

Larry was an active member of Emerald Avenue United Methodist Church. He served on the boards of Emerald Youth Foundation, the SHARE Food Bank and the Lonsdale Day Care Center. He was a graduate of Leadership Knoxville’s second class in 1986. He was a member of the North Knoxville Business and Professional Association, arranging speakers and regularly attending meetings.

Larry worked extensively with the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame and the Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. Larry was a founder and chairman of the D.D. Lewis/Boys Club Celebrity Golf Tournament, which later became the Phillip Fulmer Golf Tournament.

Larry attended Castle Heights Military Academy, Cumberland College and Middle Tennessee State University, graduating from MTSU in 1968. He was named a Distinguished MTSU Alumni in 2013. He served in the 119th Tactical Air Control Squadron of the Tennessee Air National Guard.

The family wishes to thank all the caregivers who helped Larry following his stroke, including NHC Place Farragut, Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Hospital, Fairpark Health and Rehabilitation in Maryville and Sacred Ground Hospice. The well wishes and visits from Larry’s legion of friends were a comfort to the family. Despite his condition, Larry never lost his faith, and his love for his family remained steadfast.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Brenda Mize Cox; daughter Brooke and son-in-law Kareem Coffin; a son, Shane Cox; his beloved grandchildren Brielle and Kingston Coffin and Desire N. Cox who called him “Poppy;” and nieces and nephews, Jan Huffaker (Monte), Terry Joyner (William) Steve Robbins (Angela) and Brian Robbins (Margaret). He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Edgar Cox and Willie Mynatt Gibbs Cox; sister Marsha Cox Robbins; brother, Clarence Edgar Cox Jr.; and a cousin who was like a brother to him, William Howard Gibbs.

There will be a call of convenience for friends to visit Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home on Friday, October 27, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A celebration of Larry’s life will be Saturday, October 28, at the Fulton High School Auditorium. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and services will follow at 1 p.m. Steve Diggs, executive director of the Emerald Youth Foundation, and Rev. Bob Bean will officiate. Eulogies will be offered by former U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan, close friend Alan Carmichael and former Fulton High School Head Football Coach Buck Coatney. A private graveside service will follow with Rev. Bruce Galyon officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fulton High School athletics program, Emerald Youth Foundation or Sacred Ground Hospice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berrylynnhurst.com for the Cox family.