Obituary of Leo Roy Cox

Leo Roy Cox was born on March 3, 1924 in Toledo, Ohio. He was the oldest of six children.

Leo enlisted in the United States Coast Guard on October 29, 1942. He honorably and proudly served his country as a Fireman First Class during WWII. He operated landing craft during amphibious invasions starting at Algiers in 1942 followed by the invasions of Sicily, Salerno, Normandy and Southern France before going to the Pacific in 1945. 

Leo served aboard the USS Samuel Chase and was awarded the American Area Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Phillippine Liberation Medal, Phillippine Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Combat Action Ribbon and Honorable Service Pin (Ruptured Duck).

He continued to be very active with the VFW and was a lifetime member of Post 6287 in Ruskin, Florida. Leo was energetic and could always be found working on something around the house. He loved to be outdoors and near the water, fishing or boating. In the winter, he always looked forward to his snowmobiling trips up north in Paradise, Michigan.

Leo was a fun-loving guy who enjoyed visiting with family and friends and was always the life of the party. To know Leo was to love Leo; he will be missed by many. 

Leo Roy Cox, age 93, passed away Saturday, December 30 at Promedica Monroe Regional Hospital surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents; Roy Cox and Mary (Hansen) Cox, his daughter Janet Cox, his brothers Eugene, Kenny, Wayne and Roger and his sister, Glenna. 

To cherish his memory, he leaves behind his children: Dale (Shirley) Cox of Monroe, Deborah (Dan) Mason of Taylor, Daryl (Michelle) Cox of Monroe and Marianne Cox of Trenton, his 8 grandchildren: Kevin, Sarah, Jennifer, Danny, Rachel, Michael, Maegan and Shane, his eleven great grandchildren: Luke, Isaac, Keegan, Jonah, David, Emily, Courtney, Sage, Abigail, Weylin and Bentley, one great-great grandchild, Gavin, and many extended family members and friends.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle, Michigan and burial of his cremains will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Arrangements have been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, MI 48162 (734)384-5185.