Earl Linwood Cox Sr.

Earl Linwood Cox, Sr.

November 17, 1931-October 25, 2025

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Linwood Cox (Poppy)at the age of 93 on October 25, 2025 at his home in Herndon, Va.

Born on November 17, 1931, in Hopewell, Va, Linwood was the son of Leamon & Elva Cox. He is preceded in death by his lovely wife of over 60 years Shelly Bailey Cox, his parents Leamon & Elva Cox, sister Goldie Cox Burke, and Grandson Jesse Gay.

He is survived by his children:

JoEllen Gay, Earl Linwood Cox Jr (Sharon), Lynette Auchmuty (Tony), Jerry Cox (Diana) and Bruce Cox

Also survived by his grandchildren:

Eric Gay (Bethany), Brian Gay, Earl Linwood Cox 3rd (Lainie), Tessa Angelo (Paul), Marcy Cox, Elisabeth Rector (Brian), Caroline Baker (Matt), Alexis Cox, Caroline Cox, Kelsey Auchmuty and Abby Auchmuty and Great Grandchildren: Hailey, Luke, Payton & Logan Gay, Brooke & Alexander (Alex) Gay,

Earl Linwood Cox 4th , Eli, Ella Cox & Iwa. Imua Angelo And Great Great Grandson William (Liam) Rayne

He is also survived by his sisters, Etta Cox Holc, Winnie Cox Hinton, Carol Cox and brother, Douglass Cox (Myrle)

Linwood grew up in Hopewell Va. It was a small chemical factory town of 10,000 residents. It was a football town that essentially shut down for Friday night games. Hopewell high school of 600 students was the smallest Group One school in the state. When Linwood got to Hopewell High School he discovered his love for sports, especially football.

He excelled in the sport. He played Guard & tight end in High school. While Linwood attended Hopewell High, the school won 3 state championships in a row. Having been a member of the team with some state recognition he received a football scholarship to the college of William & Mary. He continued to play football for the "Indians" In the 1952-53 season he earned the prestigious "all American" award.

In college he met his bride, Shelly Bailey. They were married in 1955, right after College graduation. Linwood was in the ROTC Marine Corps program, so it was off to the Corps just after college, and Shelly & Linwood were off to their first duty station/school at Tyndall Airforce base in Bay County Fl. When training was complete Linwood was transferred to Marine Corps Air station Kaneohe Bay, on the island of Oahu. While there, Linwood & Shelly's first child (JoEllen) was born in 1956. When his time was up with the Marines the family moved to Arlington Va and lived with Shelly's parents. Their 2nd child was born in 1958, Earl Linwood Cox Jr (Linny).

Linwood's first job there was at a company called Melpar a engineering & production company doing business with the government & armed forces. At that time Linwood & Shelly bought their first home in Fairfax Va. After a few years, Linwood changed jobs and worked for the government. Their 3rd child was born in 1965, Lynette. Then in 1966 Jerry was born, then in 1968 Bruce was born. Not much after Linwood went to work in the private sector, but the same

industry.

With his growing family they needed larger accommodations. The family moved from Fairfax to Tamarack located between Oakton & Reston which is considered the "Family Home"

Linwood & Shelly played bridge with their friends & local family members. They were quite a team winning frequently.

Linwood's true love was fishing. He loved all of it, fresh water, salt water, rivers & lakes.

He even went of a tuna fishing trip on his grandson's boat 80 miles out in the ocean at 90 years

old, and caught a big tuna

Linwood coached all his boy's baseball teams and loved it.

Linwood loved life, he excelled in all he did.

In 1986 Linwood got the opportunity to buy land and build a 2nd home on the Totuskey Creek, in Warsaw, VA, which was a large river which accommodated all kinds of boats. This was Linwood's true happy place. Friends and family members spent many good times there. The property was affectionally called "The River House"

His children grew up and moved out of Tamarack, the family home, so Linwood and his wife moved to a golf course community in Leesburg VA. They had bridge friends there, golfing friends and he and his wife stayed very active until Shelly's 4 year battle with cancer took her life. His daughter Lynette moved in with him at that time and helped to care for Shelly. Linwood lived in Leesburg for a year or so longer then spent his last years between his river house and his Lynette's house in Herndon, Va.

He also helped Jerry with his beer making hobby, they made some great tasting beer.

Bruce lives close to the river house and Bruce and Linwood spent many a good time hanging out there. Linwood's oldest daughter and family moved to Delaware on the Eastern Shore in 1988, Linwood and Shelly frequented there often to see their family, including grand kids, & great grand kids.

Their oldest son and family moved to the big island of Hawaii which Linwood would visit during the month of February for quite a few years.

Of course these are only snippets of Linwood's life. He had a full and fun life and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Linwood's celebration of life be at the Fairfax Memorial Funeral home November 7th 2025 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22032

Visitation: 9:00am-10:00am

Service 10:00am-11:00am

Graveside service: 11:00 am

Condolences and fond memories of Linwood may be offered to the family at

fairfaxmemorialfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Earl-Linwood-Cox-Sr?obld=46212919

Hotel suggestion: Hilton Fairfax

12777 Fairlakes Drive Fairfax,Va 22033