Ronald Lee Cox

Ronald Lee "Ron" Cox, age 69, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital, surrounded by the family he so dearly loved. He attended Northrop High School, then served a 5-year apprenticeship at Cole Pattern & Engineering to become a Journeyman Patternmaker. He worked in the trade he loved for fifty years, with thirty-two years at Cole Pattern & Engineering and eighteen years at Hoosier Pattern. He also worked part-time for Core-Tech Inc. for over twenty years. He had a vast knowledge of foundry tooling, and according to a good friend, was "the Chuck Norris of patternmaker bench gurus." Ron enjoyed his 1967 Marina Blue Chevrolet Nova, woodworking, Notre Dame football, and collecting and repairing antique clocks. He was a devoted son, husband, father, and Grandpa/Papa. Ron was a man of faith, a man of integrity, and he was incredibly kind. He was constantly teaching and forever learning. He was generous with his time and talents, always willing to help others. He loved spending time with family and adored his grandchildren. He was extremely proud of his children. His loss is immense and his absence felt by so many already.

Ron was born on June 24, 1956, in Fort Wayne, the son of Weldon D. and Doris J. (Shadle) Cox, Jr. He married the love of his life, Kathleen L. Okleshen, on May 13, 1978, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. For almost 48 years of marriage, they unceasingly loved each other and the life they built together, including proudly raising their five children.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are their children, Ryann (Neil) Szczepanski, Kevin Cox, Kaitlin (Paul) Hilger, Meghan (Michael) Williams and Erin (Adam Clark) Cox, all of Fort Wayne. He is also survived by fifteen beautiful grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, his brothers and sisters-in-law, and his aunts and uncles, all of whom sincerely loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Gary Cox.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 2:00-5:00 P.M. and 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne. Recitation of the rosary will be at 1:30 P.M.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Fort Wayne with Father Thomas Shoemaker officiating. The family will receive visitors for one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 A.M. in the church. Interment will be in Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) online at themmrf.org.

To send condolences or to sign the online register, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.org.