Arthur E. "Gene" Cox, 90, of Granite City, Illinois, born on January 26, 1927 in Granite City, passed away at his home on Thursday, January 4, 2018.

With the exception of several years residing in St. Louis, Missouri and Salt Lake City, Utah, he lived the majority of his life in Granite City, IL, where he attended Granite City Schools (Washington School, Central Junior high and Granite City Senior High School), raised his family and developed lifelong friends and relationships. Gene worked for the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command (ASCOM), He retired in 1981 after 30 years of dedicated service as an Inventory Management Specialist. A United States Navy Veteran, Gene proudly served his country both in the Korean War (1944 to 1946) and World War II (1950 to 1951). From 1949 to 1950, he was in the Naval Reserve. He loved the USA; the loyalty and pride he felt for our country was undeniable.

Anyone who knew Gene was fully aware of his intense love of sports. Second only to his family; sports, especially softball, baseball and football was his true passion throughout his entire life. Beginning in 1946, his softball career spanned over thirty years. He played, umpired and managed for teams that included Granite City Depot, the Engineers, Marge's Tip Top, Umberhines, Victory A's, Mexican Honorary Commission and both slow and fast-pitch ball for Millie and Mickey's. In 1959, Millie and Mickey's became the only local team ever to win a State fast-pitch title and were inducted into the Granite City Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. Later, in 2012, Gene was also inducted into the Hall of Fame where he was honored as a player, manager, and umpire. He was also acknowledged for his volunteer work as an usher. Gene received numerous awards and achievements throughout his athletic career, but these inductions were by far two of his greatest honors. Gene was also a loyal and devoted fan of the St. Louis Brown's Baseball Team and regularly attended the club's annual reunions. He enjoyed hobnobbing with the ole Brownie players and became friends with most of them, such as J. W. Porter, Bud Thomas, Art Richman, Ned Garver, Ed Mickelson and Stan Musial. He was later chosen to serve on the Board of the St. Louis Brown's Historical Group and Fan club. He was also a die-hard Notre Dame Football fan. He volunteered as an usher for the Notre Dame Football games for 21 years; working the stands, gates, wheelchair area and was later selected to serve as a captain.

In addition to his parents, Clarence W. and Pauline Ann (Glass) Cox Laney; Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Loral; former wife and mother of his daughters, Frances (Freeman) Cox; stepfather, Hillie "Al" Laney; son-in-law, James E. Rynearson; granddaughter, Cari Ann Crawford; mother-in-law, Margaret Mueller; two brothers, Clarence W. Cox Jr. and James E. Cox; and sister-in-law, Doris White.

Gene is survived by two daughters and a son-in law, Cheryl and Don Crawford of Granite City and Janice Rynearson of Utah; a grandson, Jeffree Rynearson; two granddaughters, DeeAnna Rynearson and Tyrra Hickey; a great-granddaughter, Charee Rynearson; a great-grandson, Kyler Rynearson; four great-great-grandchildren, Braydon Allen, Londyn Jean Peck, Robyn Aucoin and Ryker Ballard; a sister, Terry Rea; a brother, Robert Cox; two sisters-in-law, Darlene Cox and Loretta Clak; five Godchildren, Craig Garrett, Darla Minnick, John Six, Lori Schneider and Julie Berviller Moran; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and many friends.

In lieu of floral tributes, memorial contributions can be made to Granite City Sports Hall of Fame. www.irwinchapel.com.

Services: In celebration of his life, private services will be held on Monday, January 15, 2018. He will be laid to rest at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO, with full military honors for his service. Reverend Mark Maynard will celebrate and honor a life well lived along with Gene's family and friends.

IRWIN CHAPEL, Granite City, IL.
Published in Belleville News-Democrat on Jan. 12, 2018