Thomas J. Cox

Thomas Jackson Cox, 77, of Draper died Friday, Oct. 31, 2008. Funeral service will be held Friday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. at the Draper's Valley Presbyterian Church. Interment will be in the church cemetery with Radford VFW Post 776 conducting graveside military rites. He was born Dec. 30, 1930, son of the late Albert and Leuana Meredith Cox of Foster Falls. He was married to the late Mary Sumner Cox for 55 years with whom he enjoyed life, family, travel and ballroom dancing. He served as a staff sergeant and was a veteran of the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Germany during the Korean War. He was manager of Pless Furniture Store for 20 years before opening Tom Cox Home and Office Supply on Main Street in downtown Pulaski. He was a businessman on Main Street in Pulaski for over 40 years where he was past president of the merchants' council, chamber of commerce and several other business organizations as well as the Pulaski Rotary Club secretary for 34 years having been awarded the Paul Harris Fellow for his many years of work and dedication to his dearly loved Rotary family. He attended Draper's Valley Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by a sister, Kathleen "Kat" Cox; and two brothers, Kenny Cox and Carl Anton Cox. Survivors include three children, Donna Cox Scalise and husband Eric of Lynchburg, Gary Cox of Milwaukee, Wis., and Barry Cox of Dublin; four grandchildren, Matt Scalise USMC and wife Rachel of Charlottesville, Josh Scalise USMC of Virginia Beach, Caleb Cox of Wytheville and Ellen Cox of Draper; great-grandchild, Harley Grace Scalise; sister, Celena Gross of Marion; and three brothers, Olin Cox and wife Margaret of Pulaski, Mike Cox and wife Liz of Pulaski, Clyde Cox and wife Helen of Marion. The family will receive friends Thursday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rotary Club of Pulaski or Polio-Plus, P.O. Box 471, Dublin, VA 24084, earmarked for the eradication of polio for a polio free world. Stevens Funeral Home in Pulaski is in charge of the arrangements.