Born November 29, 1928 in London, England, he was the son of the late Richard Frank Cox and Jemima Ruby Johnson Cox.
Ron enlisted in the British Army for 3 years in Malaysia and Japan. He arrived in the United States in 1953 and worked as a as a telecom engineer for New England Telephone Company for 34 years. He retired to North Carolina, settling in Claremont in 1990. Ron was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, where he sang in the choir and was a deacon of the church for three years. He served on the planning board for the City of Claremont for 18 years. He also served as an active member, treasure and past president of Claremont Lion’s Club. Served on the board of the Hickory Sister Cities Association and the Hickory Family Care Center as treasurer.
Ron was an all-around handyman, who could build and fix anything in a house. He loved gardening, especially growing tomatoes. He was an avid reader and loved books about history, mainly about WWII, as he had some early memories of childhood in London during the war. He also studied German language. He traveled through many countries, first in business, then in pleasure.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Hazel Stevens; brothers Lesley Jackson and Richard Cox; and sister, Ruby Cox Palmby.
He is survived by his wife, Hilka H. Cox, of the home; 5 children, Elizabeth Nelson of GA, Janice Ball and husband Karl, of FL, Ronald Cox, David Cox and his wife Claudia, all of CT, Eric Cox and wife, Linda of NV; 8 grandchildren, Kimberly, Vanessa, Teresa, Michelle, Devon, Ean, Eric Jr. and Kristan; 6 great grandchildren; 3 nieces and 1 nephew.
A Celebration of Ron’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Claremont with Dr. Gary Haddock and Vicar Frank Waugh officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will have a reception following the service and all are welcome in the Family Life Center immediately following the inurnment, please help celebrate his life of nearly 90 years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Ronald’s memory to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Chancel Choir, PO Box 550, Claremont, NC 28610.
Condolences may be sent to the Cox family at www.drumfh-conover.com .
Drum Funeral Home in Conover is honored to serve the Cox family.
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