Joseph Cox

Joseph Alan Cox, Sr., age 74, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, May 22, 2022. Joe was born at Methodist Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana, July 15, 1947.  Joe was a United States Marine Corps Corporal, Vietnam War veteran, and a retired police officer with the Fort Wayne Police Department. He received his BA in Pastoral Ministries from Summit Christian College in 1993 and was ordained in Christian Gospel ministry in 1992. He also served as a deacon at Waynedale Baptist Church.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Brenda Jane (Wires) Cox; his daughter, Stephanie Jane Demorest (Matthew) of Fort Wayne; and his son, Matthew Byron Cox (Joshua Gardner) of Greenville, North Carolina; and daughter-in-law, Diana Lynne Cox of New Haven. 

Grandchildren: Zebadiah Jay Demorest of Fort Wayne; Joseph Andrew Cox (Mary) of Fort Wayne; Kristen Nicole Cox Miller (Cole) of New Haven; Jerod S. Hevel (Kara) of Fort Wayne; Jessica Hevel Moord (Zach) of New Haven; Amy Hevel Richman (Jacob) of Harlan; and Melissa Hevel Palmer (Jordan) of Warren. 
21 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sisters, Vivian Cox Owen of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; Linda J. Wills (Terry), Janet L. Walters (Mike) both of Fort Wayne; and brothers, Estill James Murphy (Karen) of Fort Wayne, George A. Murphy (Rita) of Modesto, California, Lonnie R. Cox (Barbara) of Fort Wayne; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law located throughout Indiana, Kentucky, and the rest of the United States. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Byron Areta Cox and Retha Belle Shoopman Cox; his son, Joseph Alan Cox, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Angela Burkett Cox; as well as his sisters, Violet E. Brenner, Anna R. Griffin and Ona Mae Cox Pulliam; and brothers, Johnny Cox, Leamon Cox, Eugene Cox, Jimmy Cox, and Paul Cox; brothers-in-law, Bruce Griffin and Johnny Wires; and nieces, Pamela Griffin and Debbie vanderSmissen; nephews, Bruce Steele Griffin, Justin Griffin, and Neil Justice. He is also preceded by his beloved cousin and best friend, Ronnie Eugene Shoopman.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 26, 2022 from 2:00PM to 7:00PM at Waynedale Baptist Church, 633 Lower Huntington Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Additional visitation on Friday, May 27th at 11:00AM followed by a funeral service at 12:00 noon at Waynedale Baptist Church. Burial with military honors will be at Marion National Cemetery in Marion, Indiana at 9:00AM on Saturday, May 28, 2022. Memorial gifts may be sent to Waynedale Baptist Church (https://www.waynedalebaptistchurch.org/contact-us.html). Arrangements entrusted to Northern Indiana Funeral Care.  

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