Rudy Cox

Our family stands on the shoulders of a giant.

Rudy Cox, our patriarch, passed Wednesday, October 18, 2023, surrounded by loved ones, after a struggle with Covid.

Rudy was born December 28, 1936 in Florress, Kentucky in the back of a holler.

At the age of 14 he started traveling the country selling magazines to send money home.  At the age of 17 he became a proud Marine.

After his military service he was employed by Frisch’s Big Boy as a restaurant manager.  This was where he met a cute carhop named Lena Adkins, the love of his life.  They were soon wed on August 22, 1959 in St. Paris, Ohio. They were married for 64 years--a true love story.  A happier, more social couple would be hard to find. Theirs is a love that will endure past this life and into the next.

Rudy was a true entrepreneur.  He was hard working and industrious, and never afraid to try anything.  Over the years, he supported the family by owning two restaurants, a men’s clothing store, and finally spent over 20 years protecting his clients as an award-winning insurance agent.  He also built two vacation homes with his own two hands. He loved to fish and made the best BBQ ever.  He also enjoyed being a lifetime Elks Lodge member.

Rudy was the smartest person we ever knew, who also had the kindest of hearts.

He started his life with very little but made a huge impact upon the hearts of those who knew him; all while giving his family the advantages he never had. His children and grandchildren owe so much to his efforts.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Goldie (Conley) Cox; and two brothers, Luther Coleman and James Cox.  He is survived by his loving wife, Lena; two sons, Don Cox and his wife, Lori, and Mark Cox and his partner, Tess; he was a beloved Papaw to three granddaughters, Kelly Cox, Lindsey Cox, and Amelia Cox; and one grandson, Logan Cox.

Without Rudy, our family would not be where we are today.  He provided so much for us and was rewarded with a large family of people who will love and cherish his memory forever.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, Rudy requested donations be directed to the Elks National Foundation Scholarship Fund (Lodge 417): https://secure.elks.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app20002b?df_id=2600&mfc_pref=T&2600.donation=form1&NONCE_TOKEN=711951D01881237D652D0C25DB8F4977