Lester E. “Gene” Cox
Alton | Wednesday, December 8 2010
Lester E. “Gene” Cox, age 88, died at 6:38 pm, Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at his residence with his family by his side.
He was born on February 16, 1922, in Alton, Illinois, to the late Lester C. and Dora (Webb) Cox.
He married Betty Jeanne Hellrung on August 28, 1942 at St. Mathews Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO. She preceded him in death on April 15, 1998.
Gene served his country in the South Pacific during WWII in the US Army, for which he received 3 Bronze Stars. He was a quality control coordinator at Laclede Steel for over 40 yrs before his retirement in 1986. He was also a member of the Alton VFW Post 1308, the Knights of Columbus in Alton, the Alton Eagle Lodge 254, and the Alton Wood River Sportsman Club. His greatest passion was spending time with his family and grandchildren.
Gene is survived by 4 daughters; Susan Garrison of Dallas, TX, Deborah and spouse Dave Nelson of Harvest, Al, Melinda and her spouse David Lorenzoni of Dallas, TX and Sarah and her spouse Kevin Rands of E. Alton, IL, a son in law and spouse Dr. Martin T. and Maggie Carrow; eight grandchildren; Martin Carrow II, Michael Carrow, Megan Washington, Drew Garrison, Darren Garrison, Corrie Reiter, Glenn Reiter, and Bruce Reiter, six Great Grandchildren; Drew, Dylan, Morgan, Emma, Jack Carrow, and Everett Washington; one sister; Betty Hale of Oklahoma City, OK.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one daughter; Janet Carrow, one sister; Lorraine Marshall, one brother Merrill Cox and one grand daughter Dorrie in infancy.
Visitation will be from 4 pm to 8 pm, Friday, December 10, 2010 at the Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Alton.
Services will be conducted on Saturday December 11, 2010 at 10:00 am with Father Jim Walther officiating at Elias Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Alton.
Burial will be at the Upper Alton Cemetery in Alton, IL with military honors by the Alton VFW Post 1308.
Memorials may be directed to American Cancer Society.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
