Gene Cox held serve one final time before a small gathering of friends, family and faith while holding his new tennis racquet on August 5^th, 2024.

Eugene Lindsay Cox was born on the coastal plains of Australia in Melbourne, Victoria in the winter of 1944 and then grew up in the mystery of the Lowcountry in Beaufort, South Carolina.  He considered himself bi-coastal.

High school teammates with Pat Conroy, Gene, lived many of the stories the famed author wrote. Gene’s son always thought the author was a good writer, but Dad was a better storyteller.

A proud graduate of the class of 1962 Beaufort High Tidal Wave, Gene was a letter winner in basketball, baseball, football, track and field but legend tells it he was the best shag dancer in the Lowcountry.

He met his children’s mother at the University of South Carolina and became a lifelong Gamecock fan. He later received higher education from masters like Jack Benny, Jonathan Winters and Tim Conway.

He relocated the family to Portsmouth Virginia in the early 70’s.

Gene became a Key Account Manager with the Virginian Pilot when newspapers were unfurled by hand and read column inch by column inch. He then tested his talent in automotive sales where he was a Business Manager at Parkway Pontiac Volvo in Chesapeake and Benson Motors in Louisiana and finally a Sales and Marketing Manager at Beach Ford.

He was a past president of Toastmasters, Landmark Club, a member of the Lions Club, and later a volunteer with Meals on Wheels.

Acting in community theater, he performed in two plays, Desire Under the Elms and Death of a Salesman.  Though he never sang professionally, Waylon, Willie, Merle and Lefty were constant singing companions of a poetic life.

In the autumn of his life Gene returned to Beaufort. He followed his bliss and became a USPTA certified tennis instructor obtaining a 4.0 rating and competed on the senior circuit in the southeast.  What he learned in competition he taught on the court to his many students. He said he learned more in his greatest match, a loss scored in tennis  Six love six love.

Gene was predeceased by his parents James Cox and Jacqueline Cox and will be remembered by devoted friends and most, his two children, Anthony and Dana. His legacy will extend with the grandson and granddaughter he loved and adored so much.

The family would like to thank the staff at Virginia Beach General Hospital ICU for their enduring care and devotion. They appreciate the pastoral care of the Reverend Stan Sawyer. A celebration of life service will take place later. Donations may be made to the following: Virginia Beach Rescue Foundation or the Hilton Head Humane Association.  Links are below.

https://vbrescuefoundation.org/donate/

https://hhhumane.org/donations/

Visit www.vacremationsociety.com to leave online condolences to his family.