Guy Cox

WILSON - Guy O Cox, loving husband and father, son of Lizzy and William Cox, native and lifelong resident of Wilson died March 6, 2015.

A Celebration of Life Service will be Friday, March 13, 1:30 PM, at Something Different, 3342 Airport Blvd, NW, Wilson. A time of visiting and sharing will follow the service.

He was a descendant of a number of families who moved from Virginia into Edgecombe and Nash counties in the late 1700s.

Guy attended Woodard School and Charles L. Coon High School. Enrolled in the Diversified Occupation curriculum, he worked for the Bissette's Drug Store chain providing their photofinishing. On June 13, 1942, he enlisted in the US Navy for the duration of the war. After completing his training as a Photographer's Mate, he was assigned to the newly commissioned USS Bunker Hill. He was on board when the aircraft carrier was hit by two Kamikaze planes.

Guy was probably best known as a partner in Raines & Cox Photographers, which chronicled the history of Eastern North Carolina and its families for more than 60 years. He attended the New York School of Modern Photography and was a certified professional photographer. He was awarded Lifetime Membership in the Professional Photographers of NC and served this organization in many capacities over the years. Guy so loved photography he never considered it "work".

He embraced life and had many experiences: Guy was very proud to be an Eagle Scout and attended the New York World's Fair in 1939 with his scout troop He served as the Grand Marshall of the Wilson Christmas Parade; his photography career was featured in exhibits at Barton College and Wilson Arts Center; he traveled to Washington with the Triangle Flight of Honor; he traveled to Ireland with his family and he was featured on the WRAL-TVs "Tar Heel Traveler" http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/travel/video/8771848/#/vid8771848 He will also be remembered as a great story and joke teller (a trait inherited from his Irish ancestors - no doubt). To solidify his link with his Irish ancestry Guy received his dual Irish citizenship in time for his 90th birthday. .

He was married to Maxine Warren Cox who died September 2, 2014 for 63 years. Guy provided loving care to her after she developed Alzheimer's disease.

He is survived by his three children Guy, Jr (Joy) of Stafford, VA, Lynda C. Dixon (Thomas) of Cary and Robert of Sanford; grandson, Andrew Cox (fiancé Ally Kight) of Orlando, FL, surviving nieces and nephews: David Allen Cox, Boca Raton, FL; James Louis Cox, Charlotte, VT; Ann Batson James, Cary; Becky Batson Lawson, Mechanicsburg, PA; E. T. (Ed) Batson, III, Greensboro and Jane Batson Milar, Cary.

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Lizzy Hill Cox, older brother William Louis Cox, sisters Laura Olivia Cox Powell and Mary Wilkinson Cox Batson and nephew Frederick Henry Powell, Jr.

Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894-1423 or the Wilson County Genealogical Society, PO Box 802, Wilson, NC 27894 or to the charity of one's choice.