Mr. Richard L Cox Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Richard Lawrence Cox was born on a farm near Statham, Georgia on November 9, 1921 to Morgan and Susie (nee Hill) Cox. He departed this life for his new one with the Lord on Friday, January 3, 2014. When Richard was two years old, Morgan and Susie moved their family to Cincinnati where Richard lived for the remainder of his life. He joined Second Baptist Church as a child under the pasturage of Reverend A.W. Jackson. He attended Steele Elementary School and North College Hill Junior and Senior High School ,where he was a stand-out member of the football team. He graduated in 1941, and began working for RSM Company as an Import/Export Clerk . He was a key member of the company’s growth and success until he retired in 1986. Richard entered the United States Army in September 1942, as part of the U.S .war effort in World War II and attained the rank of sergeant. On January 9, 1943, on leave from the Army, he married his lifelong sweetheart, Helen Almeda Price. He was a truck driver with the African-American 1995th Quartermaster Trucking Company contingent and served in France, Italy, North Africa and Germany. He received three Medals of Honor for his achievements during the war. At the end of World War II, he returned to Cincinnati and to his bride Helen. They soon welcomed sons Maurice, Richard and Warren; daughters , Karen and Amelia and son, Bruce. He built the family home, which he loved, in West College Hill. “Rich, Dick or Cox,” as he was fondly called, was a warm, loving person, devoted to his family, church and the West College Hill community. He was a PTA president, Boy Scout leader and Little League coach. He was also an active member of the Eagles Social Club. In his later years, he was a board member for the West College Hill Community Center. For several years, he served as a trustee of Second Baptist Church. Richard was a good provider to his family and often worked several jobs. He made this work ethic a major part of his children’s education. He was a fervent believer in the value of higher education and promoted college education for himself (University of Cincinnati – Real Estate degree), his children and others. He was a life-long student of African American and international history. In his spare time, Richard enjoyed gardening, fishing, blues and gospel music and genealogy. Known as the family’s oral historian, he relished sharing events handed down to him from previous generations as well as memories of his youth, Army tour of duty, educational experiences and community work. He also was a “jack of all trades,” skills learned from his father which he put to good use on his personal home projects. Richard was preceded in death in 1993 by his wife of 50 years, Helen (his “Peaches”) ; his mother , Susie ; father ,Morgan; sister , Thelma (Sylvester Rawls) and brother Prince. He is survived by his children, Maurice (Fannie) of Indianapolis, IN, Richard (Elizabeth) of Park Forest, IL, Warren (Beverly) of Marietta, GA, Karen of Oak Park, IL, Amelia of Cincinnati and Bruce (Gloria) of Oak Park, IL; sister, Emma; brother, Samuel (Peggy); brother in-laws, Andrew Price (Monie) and Wesley Price (Yvonne) ; grandchildren, Julian (Abby) of Indianapolis, IN, McAlister (Tammy) of Park Forest, IL, Adrienne of Indianapolis, IN, and Jonathan, Kelsey, Asha of Oak Park, IL, and Derrick (Karen) Hughes, of Florida; three great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

Mr. Richard L Cox

November 9, 1921 - January 3, 2014