Curtis T Cox

AVILLA — Curtis T. Cox, 94, of Avilla, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at Presence Sacred Heart Home in Avilla. He was born and raised in Erwin, Tennessee to the late Thomas E. and Kate (Brown) Cox.

Mr. Cox proudly served in the Army Air Corps as a B25 and C47 pilot in the Pacific Theater and then in Japan immediately following World War II. On Aug. 21, 1948 he married Martha Greider. She preceded him in death on Nov. 10, 2014.

He was a graduate of Indiana Tech college in Fort Wayne, with a B.S. in aeronautical engineering, and worked at International Harvester in various engineering and management positions including road test engineer and chief engineer for drive train and brake systems for over 30 years.

He purchased a small camping trailer in the mid-1960s and began taking the family on many trips around the U.S. and Canada. Curtis continued to enjoy playing tennis and golf with friends for many years. Soon before retiring from Harvester, he and his wife sold their house in Fort Wayne and moved to a 30-acre farm in Noble County where they spent many happy hours creating productive vegetable gardens and where Curt used any excuse to drive his tractor. They also continued traveling with many camping friends, visiting most of the continental states throughout the years. He was also very active in his churches, Waynedale United Methodist while living in Fort Wayne, and Calvary United Methodist Church in Avilla.

Survivors include his children, Gary (Victoria) Cox of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Sharon (Timothy) Abts of Springville, Indiana, Russell Cox of Avilla, Indiana, and Greg (Kathleen) Cox of Fort Myers, Florida; sister Janet Coty and nephew Jahn Coty of Glendora, California; grandchildren Christopher (Autumn) Cox, Nicholas Cox, Ethan Cox, Michael (Tasha York) Abts and William (Cassandra) Abts; and great-grandchildren Trevor Ownings, Audrey Abts, Brentyn York, Thomas Hupp, Lilly and Abby Abts and Sam, Allie, Jack and Charlotte Cox.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Martha Cox; mother Kate Cox; father Thomas Cox; brother-in-law Ugo Coty and mother-in law Dolly Hobson.

Funeral services will be Thursday Jan. 11, 2018, at 6 p.m. at Harper Funeral Homes, Avilla Chapel, 530 N. Main St., Avilla, with Tom Novy officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 2-6 p.m. Private burial will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Fort Wayne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary United Methodist Church, Avilla.

To leave online condolences, visit www.harperfuneralhomes.com.