Dr. Franklin Homer Cox, 85 died on November 15, 2010 at Royal Palm Healthcare and Rehabilitation, where he received exceptional care.
He was born in Detroit, MI on September 24, 1925 and moved to Vero Beach from Kalamazoo, MI in 1977. He was one of two children with his sister Mildred Cox Welde of Willow Street, PA born to parents Homer Cox and Josie Martin in Detroit, MI. During World War II, he served with the Army Air Corps in 1945 with the rank of Flight Officer as a Navigator. He graduated from Wayne State University College of Medicine with High Distinction, being second in his class. He was awarded Sigma XI Chemistry Honor Society in his first year of medical school and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society in his third year of medical school. Dr. Cox was Chief of Staff at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI and Vice Chief of Staff at Indian River Memorial Hospital in Vero Beach, FL. He was also associate Medical Examiner 1981-1985 in Vero Beach. He was board certified in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology and Dermatology. Dr. Cox was a member of the Vero Beach Country Club and Vero Beach Yacht Club.
Survivors include his daughter Jo Ellen Dolecki-Lane of Dexter, MI and daughter Christine Anne Cox of Vero Beach, FL. Grandchildren include Bonnie (Todd) Brandstadt of East Grand Rapids, MI, Michael (Anne) Dolecki of Brighton, MI and Kathryn Irene Dolecki of Vero Beach, FL. Great grandchildren, Nicholas Grant Brandstadt, Jackson Tyler Brandstadt, Cameron Joseph Brandstadt, Mollie Kathryn Brandstadt, Emma Jo Dolecki and Lila May Dolecki, also survive him.
Dr. Cox was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Audrey Irene (Parks) Cox to whom he gave most of the credit for his lifetime of accomplishments. He was also preceded in death by his daughter Carolyn Elizabeth Cox in 1995 of complications from cerebral palsy.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wabasso School for Exceptional Children, 8895 US Highway 1 in Sebastian, FL 32958 or the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), 1375 16th Avenue, in Vero Beach, FL 32963.
Mass will be celebrated Friday, January 28, 2011 at 10:30 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, FL. Following cremation, ashes will be interred in the family plot at the Garden of Memories cemetery in Tampa, FL.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford - Seawinds Funeral Home, Vero Beach, FL. Condolences may be sent through www.seawindsfh.com/obit.php