GREENWOOD
Raybon (Ray) E. Cox (83) was called home to the Lord July 12, 2021. He passed in his home on St Pete Beach, FL. He was born October 1, 1937 in Danville, Kentucky to the late Robert & Patricia (Stapp) Cox. He resided in both Greenwood, Indiana and St. Pete Beach, Florida.
In addition to his parents, Ray was proceeded in death by brother Harold Cox. He is survived by his wife Diane. Other survivors include sisters Mary (Norman) Fox, Jean Henderson and Bobbi (Michael) Ritchie. Ray was also proceeded in death by Maureen (Cox) Depargola. Maureen and Ray have 2 children. Angela Cox and Derek (Renee) Cox. Ray was the proud Grandfather of Kevin (Meliah) Cox, Courtenay (Ben) Sutton and Trevor Cox (Bryan Greene). Ray was also blessed to be the Great-Grandfather of Josie Joy Cox and 2 additional Great-Grandsons “on the way” – one of whom will carry on the name by having “Ray” as his middle name. Ray is also survived by many extended and blended family members who love and respect him dearly.
Ray graduated from Greenwood Community High School. After graduating high school, Ray enlisted in the United States Navy. He was a “career” military man, serving 21 years all around the world including Vietnam in 1967-1968. He achieved the distinguished rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. Ray got to pick his last Post and picked San Diego California based on its beauty and climate. But even the beautiful weather of San Diego couldn’t keep Ray from returning home to his beloved Mom and family in Greenwood Indiana. Ray then entered the insurance industry and ultimately started Cox Insurance Group (CIG), a medical stop loss company in 1981. Ray owned and operated CIG until selling it in 1993. Upon selling CIG, he spent the last 30 years pursuing his passions of golf, traveling and car collecting. Ray had a passion for both classic and new cars. He continued to purchase cars even while under hospice care over the past 9 months, buying his last car (a 1957 Ford Thunderbird) just 3 weeks prior to his passing. In his declining condition, he continued to speak about taking his “new” 57 TBird out on the road. That never happened, but it wasn’t for lack of interest.
Ray’s passion and pride for his country and military service grew increasingly stronger each year of his life. After a long and difficult decline under hospice care, Ray’s final wishes were to be dressed in his Navy uniform one last time upon his passing.
As one of his Grandson’s wrote in a tribute to his Grandfather “Rest easy Raybon – we’ll take it from here”
A Celebration of Life will be held at Isla Del Sol Golf & Country Club Monday July 19th at 11:00. An additional Celebration of Life will be held in Greenwood on a date tbd.
