Gerard J. Cox

Gerry was born on December 15, 1956 in Philadelphia, PA, to parents James and Margaret Cox. An auto mechanic by trade, Gerry’s car knowledge was second to none. He could fix anything, and he wouldn’t rest until the puzzle of a rattling engine or a faulty sensor was solved—no matter how long we had to hold the flashlight. He was proud of his classic cars, notably his 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint and his 1930’s Ford Model A, both of which he painstakingly restored to their full glory. He regularly attended local muscle car shows and most recently took home Best in Show with his restored Model A.

On any given Saturday, Gerry could be found tinkering in his garage, rustling around in the barn, riding the lawnmower, or tending to his legendary tomato plants (and in earlier years, of course, drinking cans of Miller High Life with Tommy). Whether Miller High Life or Diet Pepsi, the garage fridge was never without a case of cold ones.

His tomato plants really were quite remarkable for being a summer side-yard project—but he grew the biggest beefsteak tomatoes and juiciest cherry tomatoes in the entire neighborhood (dare we say county?). If you stopped by the back gate on the right day, you might go home with a big bag full of his latest crop.

Best exemplified by the motorcycle-riding imp tattooed on his bicep, Gerry was a bit of a rebel and a troublemaker. He was the dad that would help you break rules at the swim club by encouraging you to go down the slide headfirst on a raft, much to the lifeguards’ chagrin. But he’d never let you get hurt; he was always at the bottom to catch you.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Gerry always got a kick out of his favorite Looney Tunes character “Taz,” a devious but sweet Tasmanian devil with a big appetite. Like Taz, despite a bit of a gruff exterior, Gerry had a tender spot for animals and kiddos. Watching his grandsons Jack and Charlie grow up was one of the greatest joys of his life, and he loved being their “Pop.” And for as long Gerry and his devoted wife Carol lived on Hampton Drive, there was a dog running around the yard, a cat sneaking up the steps, or a guinea pig squeaking in the house. The family pets always gravitated to him and enjoyed snoozing with him on the couch (probably with a NASCAR race playing on television in the background).

Gerry is survived by his wife of 33 years, Carol Cox (neé Lelle); his children Vincent Thoder (Sarah Lorraine) and Deanna Gilliam (Maxwell) and many loving extended family members.

Family and friends are invited to attend a two-hour memorial visitation on Saturday, April 13, at Lamb Funeral Home from 10:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. A memorial service will follow.

Lamb Funeral Home

101 Byberry Road

Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006