Ernest Jack Cox

Ernest Jack Cox, of Lorain, died on Thursday, March 22, 2007 peacefully at Anchor Lodge Nursing Home, Lorain following a lengthy illness.


Jack, as his older sisters named him, was born in Elton, Wis. His large family later moved to Muncie, Indiana, where in his senior yearbook he was voted most likely to succeed and graduated with honors. Instead of medical school, World War II called him. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corp in July of 1942 serving as a tech sergeant with the 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, 389th Bomb Group. His tour of duty included 30 missions in the European Theatre, and campaigns of Sicily, Naples-Foggia, and North Africa and survived the famed Ploesti Oil Field Raid in Romania. He was decorated with two distinguished flying crosses with one oak leaf cluster, the air medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, and the good conduct medal. After his honorable discharge in 1945, he served actively with the American Legion Post 392 in Muncie, Indiana, where he was a commander. In 1952, Jack came to Ohio with the anticipation of finding work. In 1953, he began working at the Ford Motor Company, Brook Park Plant. He retired in 1983 as a relief foreman in the engine plant with 30 years of service. After retirement, he was very active in the Salaried Retirees Club, and traveled extensively with the club.


He was a life member of the American Legion Post 30, Lorain, where he was a past service officer and past 40/8 Chef de Gare officer, and also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 451 of Lorain. He was a member of the International B-24 Liberators Club, and the Mighty 8th Air Force 389th Historical Society traveling frequently with them. He was a life member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lake Erie Lodge #552. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons Black River Lodge #786, the Lorain County Shriners, the Al Koran A.A.O.N.M.S of Cleveland, and the 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Valley of Cleveland Lodge.


He enjoyed traveling across the US, hunting, fishing, gardening, growing roses, yard work, and weekend trips to visit his family.


Surviving is his wife of 54 years, Helen (nee Rilko); daughters, MaryEllen Bailey of Lorain, Eva Marie Cox of Westlake; a son, John Cherney of Vermilion; a grandson; sisters, Mattibell McAtte of Muncie, Indiana, Mildred Harris of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Betty Dean of Sault St. Marie, Michigan; and many nieces and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Cox and Sara Lee (nee Gillie) Cox; brothers, Willis Cox, Jim Cox, and Robert Cox; sisters, Mary Jacobs, Eva Goodman, and Johanna Sleeth.


The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain, where the Black River Lodge #786 F & A Masons will conduct a Masonic service at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday at 11:00 am in the funeral home. Rev. Luis Maldonado, Deacon of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lorain, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain. The American Legion Post 30 and the Veterans of Foreign War Post 451 both of Lorain, will conduct full military honors.


Contributions can be made to the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum, P.O. Box 1992, Savannah, GA, 31402, or the Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter 20, 500 E. 25th St, Lorain, Ohio, 44052.