Gene Alton Cox

Gene Alton Cox, 77, of Payne, passed into his creator’s hands Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana in Fort Wayne.

He was born February 9, 1941, in Payne, the son of Eliene (Deerwester) and Otis Cox, who both preceded him in death.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 52 years, Sheryl Cox (Henshaw). Also missing him immensely are his children: a daughter, Melissa (Douglas) Roop of Payne, a son, Douglas Gene Cox of Lebanon, and a daughter, Jennifer (Andrew) Swan of Indianapolis, Indiana. He also leaves behind his precious grandchildren, Zach (Jara) Roop of Granger, Indiana, Jacob (Breanna), Nathanael, and Julianne Roop of Payne, Taylor, Austin, and Carter Cox of Lebanon, and Drew, Elora, Charlotte, and Liam Swan of Indianapolis; as well as one great-grandchild, Larkin Roop of Granger.

Also surviving Gene are his brothers, Kenneth (Sandra) Cox of Payne and Ross (Connie) Cox of Bryan.

Gene graduated from Payne High School in 1959. He then went to Bailey Technical Institute in St. Louis, Missouri, where he graduated top of his class as a diesel mechanic. He and his parents owned and operated Cox’s Repair in Payne from 1965-1985, repairing cars, farm machinery, maintaining school buses, and servicing tires.

Gene was also a certified welder and later went on to assembling and repairing medical devices. He was a member of the Payne Church of the Nazarene, and contributed to his community through service on the town council, fire department, and volunteering with the Boy Scouts.

From the time he was a young child, Gene amazed others with his natural and uncanny abilities to fix nearly anything mechanical (actually, make that nearly anything at all, period). He was at his happiest spending time with his family, restoring Cushman scooters, camping, and fishing. He loved teaching his children and grandchildren all he knew about fishing. He was always using his knowledge and God given skills to help others. He will be greatly missed by all those who have been blessed to know him.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14, at Payne Church of the Nazarene, 509 Orchard St. in Payne. He will be laid to rest in Wiltsie Cemetery, Payne.

Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, and an hour prior Thursday at the church.

Preferred memorials: Paulding County Hospital Home Health, Payne Church of the Nazarene, or Payne Fire and EMS.

Fond memories may be shared at www.dooleyfuneralhome.com.