Dr. Wendell A. Cox passed away on April 23, 2012 at FHN Memorial Hospital due to complications from pneumonia. He was born on September 11, 1940 in Freeport, to George and Myra (Raisbeck) Cox. He was raised in Cedarville, and married Marsha Samuelson on September 11, 1965. He attended Freeport High School, and was president of his graduating class of 1958. After high school, he attended Florida State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1962. He went on to receive his Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Houston in 1967. Dr. Cox was a practicing optometrist in Freeport for 30 years, from 1967 through his retirement in 1997. He was also a licensed real estate broker from 1976 through 2011. He was an avid and accomplished golfer, being a well-known fixture at Park Hills Golf Course and two-time Stephenson Cup champion. After retirement, he spent his winters in Palm Desert, California, where he was able to continue to pursue his love of the game of golf year-round. In addition to golf, Wendell was a lifelong sportsman, participating in football, basketball and track in high school, and continuing to play basketball and softball after high school for many years. He also loved traveling, fishing, and playing practical jokes on his friends. Wendell was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather and a good friend to many. He is survived by his wife, his son, Steven (Anne) Cox of Freeport, and two grand-daughters Amanda (Jason) Lewis and Jenna Jackson (fiancee Bradley Luna) of Phoenix, Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Ronald (Duane) Cox.