Visitation:
Sunday, May 22, 2022
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Secor Funeral Home
202 W Maple Street
Willard , Ohio 44890
Service:
Sunday, May 22, 2022
5:00 p.m.
Secor Funeral Home
202 W Maple Street
Willard , Ohio 44890
Robert Donald Cox, age 73, of Willard, Ohio passed away Thursday, May 19th, 2022, at Stein Hospice in Sandusky, Ohio after a brief battle with Sarcoma. He was born on September 20th, 1948, to the late Donald and Gwendolyn (Beelman) Cox. He is also preceded in death by his sister, Kathryn.
Bob as he was known to most, was a 1967 graduate of Willard High School. He was drafted to serve his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Upon returning from abroad he held several jobs, most notably as a Clerk / Operator with Chessie System. While employed there he spent most days at J Tower where he likely played more guitar than actually working. Realizing that he wasn’t built for the grind of a traditional job, he pursued his lifelong passion which was music. While he played the piano, he was best known for his mastery of the guitar utilizing the fingerstyle technique, inspired by Chet Atkins. Over the years he played thousands of events as a solo artist, and with various friends. One of his favorite gigs was Bob Cox and Friends which was held during the Willard Festival in the Park. This show would gather the people he enjoyed playing with the most to jam for a few hours that evening. Bob taught guitar at The Richland Academy of the Arts and as an Adjunct Professor at Kenyon College and Mount Vernon Nazarene College. He gave many private lessons out of his home and volunteered lessons at MANCI.
Bob also was a lifelong Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Cavaliers fan with a preference to listen to the game on radio instead of watching it on TV.
Bob ate bacon nearly every damn day, consumed copious amounts of Splenda and generally went where the breeze took him that day. He was laid back and enjoyed the company of friends, family, and his dog Della in which he created numerous YouTube videos of him playing the guitar while she laid close by on the couch.
Bob is survived by his spouse of 17 years, Annette; daughter, Jennifer (Josh) Jester; son, Glenn (Tania) Cox; two step sons, Wayne Hampton and Craig (Jody) Hampton. Papa Bob as he was known was the grandfather to 10 grandchildren ranging in age from 3-16.
Family and friends may visit on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at the Secor Funeral Home in Willard from 2:00 p.m. until the time of his funeral service at 5:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to Bob’s family. Online condolences can be left for the family by visiting www.secorfuneralhomes.com.