Larry Michael Cox, 66

Larry Michael Cox, 66, of Gallipolis, passed away Thursday, July 24, 2014 at Holzer Medical Center following a brief illness.

He was born June 7, 1948 in Bladen, Ohio, son of the late Franklin Monroe “Pete” and Mary Elizabeth Martin Cox. Larry attended school in the Hannan Trace School District. He worked with his father in his auto body shop from 1961 to 1972. He went to work for G & J Auto Parts Store in Gallipolis in 1973 until 1992 at which time an injury forced his retirement. He enjoyed painting cars in his spare time and working on engines. With his son he built several drag racing cars. He never missed NHRA drag racing on television and always cheered on John Force and Ford. He had never owned anything but a Ford his entire life. He spent most of his time lately sitting on the front porch in his rocking chair visiting with his neighbors.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Gardner Cox of Gallipolis; two children, daughter Amanda Diana (Bradley) Perry of Jackson and son Stephen Michael (Gina) Cox of Cheshire; four granddaughters, Stephanie and Madeleine Polcyn and Elizabeth and Mackenzie Perry, all of Jackson; brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Kathy Cox of Gallipolis; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sandra and Ben Runyon of Bidwell and Nancy and Steve Buck of Gallipolis; half brother Ronnie (Carolyn) Cox and half sister Juanita (Dan) Finn, both of Lima, Ohio. Three aunts also survive, Ora Bass of Syracuse, Betty Wicks of Lancaster and Margaret Cline of Beverly, along with several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Freddy Martin Cox and a sister Cynthia Louise Cox.

Services will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at the Willis Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Cheesebrew officiating. Burial will follow in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Cheshire, Ohio. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, July 28, 2014 from 6-8 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Cox, Bradley Perry, Duke Alley, Matthew Alley, Joey Alley and Kenny Madden. Honorary pallbearer will be Gene Jones.

Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send e-mail condolences.