Gerald Cox

1922 - 2021

Gerald Cox
June 14, 1922 - January 28, 2021
Modesto, California - Gerald Cox was born in Sanger, CA to Ernest and Anne (Gass) Cox. He left this world peacefully in his own home 98 wonderful years later. He grew up in Watsonville, where he met his future wife Winifred Miller while they were in high school. They were both attending Salinas Junior College when Gerald enlisted in the Navy as a pilot. He and Winnie got married on March 25, 1943 just before he got shipped out to Pearl Harbor, where he spent the rest of World War II.
Following the war, Gerald built a house in Boulder Creek for his growing family and worked for Standard Oil in Santa Cruz. He transferred to Salinas in 1950, and then moved to Modesto in 1962. He went back to college and earned his degree in business from Stanislaus State in 1964. Then he worked as office manager for a dental group until retirement.
Gerald stayed active in his retirement. He worked out regularly at the gym, built and sailed several boats, volunteered at Memorial Hospital and Interfaith Ministries, and worked alongside Winnie as a classroom aide at James Marshall School. He and Winnie enjoyed traveling to many places, including Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, England, Ireland, Spain, Russia, China, and Tahiti. In addition to writing several novels, Gerald tried painting in oils, learning Spanish, and playing the organ and the accordion.
Gerald and Winnie were happily married for 65 years, until her death in 2008. They raised 5 children: Mickey (m. Carole), Randy (m. Sandi), Marty (m. Karen), Brian (m. Marjorie), and Melanie Lake. They had 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Gerald belonged to the Masons, and was a longtime member of Trinity United Presbyterian Church. There will be no memorial service. Gerald had a beautiful soul and a gracious disposition and will be greatly missed. His children have wonderful memories of swimming, camping, and hiking on their family vacations.