Eugene Russell Cox Sr

Eugene Russell Cox, Sr., age 91, was born in Bothwell, Mississippi, on Feb. 6, 1925, and went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 24, 2016. Gene grew up in Mobile, AL, and attended Barton Academy, Murphy High School, and Spring Hill College. He earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from Auburn University and his MS in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Technical Institute. He proudly served in the US Army during World War II. He was a resident of Fort Walton Beach, FL for over 60 years, where he was a faithful member for many years at First Baptist Church. Gene was a retired Electrical Engineer, who worked as a civil servant at Eglin Air Force Base for 37 years. He most recently lived in Pensacola, FL. Gene was a man of integrity. He was always someone you could count on. He had a pure and giving heart that was an outflow of his commitment to Christ. His sharp wit and humor, his bear hugs and kisses, and most of all his gentle voice and his wise and loving guidance will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy Mae Cox, father and mother, Avery and Amanda Cox; and one sister, Ava Ray Cox. Survivors include his brother, Norman (Judy) Cox of Irvington, AL; two sons, Eugene (Deborah) Cox, Jr. of Hoschton, GA, James (Frances) Cox of Moorestown, NJ.; two daughters, Diann (Robert) Rehr of Shalimar, FL, Katherine (Kirk) Schultz of Pensacola, FL; 10 grandchildren, Christopher Cox, Jeffery Cox, Jayme Cox, Kasey Cox, Carla Cox, Aerin Cox, Jason McKendry, David Rehr, Rachel Rehr, and Kristen Schultz; four great-grandchildren; Jeremiah McKendry, Guilliana McKendry, Vanessa McKendry, and Bethany McKendry; numerous beloved nieces and nephews and many extended family members and friends. Visitation will be held on Tuesday March 1, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 161 Racetrack Road, N.W., Fort Walton Beach, with services beginning at 11 a.m. Private Graveside Services will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery in Fort Walton Beach. You may express condolences at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com.