Richard Lee Cox

Richard Lee Cox, age 86 of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2020 of complications from a stroke. Richard was born on January 15, 1934 in Moline, Illinois, the son of Leonard James and Jeanette (Colbert) Cox. Preceded in death by his parents, and daughter Cathryn Lee Cox Morrisey (d.2019). He is survived by his wife Linda L. (Megrath) Cox, his daughters Carolyn (Jeff) Cox Abel, Kristyn (Brad) Cox Moore and son-in-law Kent Morrisey; and his sister Linda (Gary) Diedrick. He also had seven grandchildren (Julia, Claire, Kelliann, Megan, Ellyn, Matthew and Zachary) and one great grandchild (Kylie Grace) and extended family members. Richard, or Dick to his many friends, graduated from Moline High School then attended Augustana College and later graduated from the University of Illinois ('57) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. At Illinois, he was a brother in the Theta Chi fraternity. His professional career began in St. Paul, MN as a field engineer with the 3M corporation. After success with 3M and others in sales, in 1978 Dick founded his own business, RL Cox, Inc. in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He built this into a successful technical sales organization mainly servicing the automotive industry. On New Year's eve 1958, Dick's life would change forever when he met the love of his life, Linda. Dick and Linda married on September 11, 1960 and recently celebrated 60 years of marriage! Dick and Linda were very active in raising their three girls and with their community in Fort Wayne. Whether it was with school activities at Snider High School, church at First Presbyterian of Fort Wayne or volunteering as a stroke judge for the girls swim meets at Glen Aqua pool. The Cox family was always on the go and traveled the roads of the USA every chance they could get. Trips across the country were the norm for their family including visiting every Civil War memorial east of the Mississippi River and annual RV treks to Walt Disney World and Fort Wilderness campground. Each year their love for Florida grew so once they became "empty nesters" it only made sense for Dick and Linda to permanently relocate to Venice, Florida in 1995. Once in Venice, Dick kept himself busy with volunteer work with the Friends of the Venice Symphony and the Venice High School Touchdown club...and a little golf! In later years, they moved to Winter Garden, Florida to be closer to their daughter, Kristyn and her family. In Winter Garden, Dick and Linda kept themselves involved by volunteering at the Garden Theatre where they made many new friends and touched many lives. Dick will be missed for his dry humor and infectious smile that always lightened the room. He loved old time TV comedies and mysteries, reading novels, doing the daily crossword and sudoku, watching all sports (especially Illini football), and just spending time with family and friends. Popcorn was his favorite! He was famous for eating a large tub during the trailers before movies started and getting a refill for the main feature! The family would like to say a special thank you to the first responders of Station 22 in Winter Garden and the entire staff at the stroke unit at ORMC in Orlando for their expertise, caring and compassion. Our family will greatly miss Richard, Dick, and Papa! He touched so many lives in his 86 years and will never be forgotten! Due to COVID, arrangements for a service are pending at this time. Details will be announced at a later date. The family of Richard Lee Cox invites you to leave a message of condolence or a special memory on the Tribute Wall created in his memory. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations in Dick's memory be made to GardenTheatre in Winter Garden at www.gardentheatre.org/donate, 160 West Plant Street, Winter Garden FL 34787 (407-877-4736.)

Richard Lee Cox

January 15, 1934 - December 9, 2020