Jack Eugene Cox

August 14, 1926 - December 6, 2022

After a long life devoted to an engineering career, his two families, and helping others, Jack Eugene Cox passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 6, 2022 at the distinguished age of 96. Starting at age 95, he fought a 15-month battle with lung cancer directly related to his early former smoking years. His physicians marveled at the excellent physical condition he was in when diagnosed, and how long he fought before the disease finally took him. After his second beloved wife, Arletta Lotz Berglund Cox passed in 2006, Jack moved from Frankfort, IL to spend the rest of his life as a resident of Cross Keys Village, a marvelous Brethren continuing care community in New Oxford, PA just east of historic Gettysburg. He was an active part of the community there, took daily brisk walks, swam three times per week, and volunteered to “drive the old folks around” on campus to run their errands.
Along with 11 siblings, of whom he was the 2nd, Jack was born at home on August 14, 1926 and hailed from the tiny (population 122 when he was a child!) farming town of Foster, Nebraska. He is survived by his sisters, Marilyn Cox Anderson of Carlsbad, CA and Dianne Cox Ellingson of Sun City, AZ. Very proud of his humble roots, he often told stories of growing up in the tough dust bowl and depression years, working as a truck driver and in hog slaughter houses, and as a gas station attendant. Jack proudly enlisted and spent two years of military service in World War II as an Army staff sergeant, followed by college at Iowa State University where he graduated in civil engineering, and spent 38 years as project manager for Chicago Bridge and Iron Company. He was the Harry and Bessie Cox family genealogist, which led to history research expeditions in Salt Lake City, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Scotland, among other places. Even in his final days, he kept mentally sharp playing Sudoku and actively used his Apple Watch, iPhone and iPad – who does that in their mid 90s!? Jack was passionate about his lifelong conservative politics, as well as long-distance driving to be with family, downhill skiing and golf, which he finally gave up in his early 90s.
Jack was a devoted father to Jenny Cox Hook (Hingham, MA), Christoper Charles Cox (Missoula, MT) and Sally Jo Cox Pyle (Glen Rock, PA) as well as to Arlett’s children Lynne Berglund West Recupido (now deceased) and Jeffrey Berglund (Frankfort, IL). He was very proud of and loved to glowingly talk about his 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Jack’s family is extremely grateful for the devoted and caring community of his neighbors, employees and especially campus nurses at Cross Keys Village, Dr. Thomas Keller, the oncology health care workers of Wellspan Gettysburg and Johns Hopkins Baltimore, and the hospice workers who provided compassionate comfort care while preserving his dignity in the last weeks of life.
Jack was passionate about many charities, but most especially Boys Town in Nebraska. Both penny-pinchers, Jack and Arlett had this thing about not spending money on cut flowers 😉 Therefore, in lieu of those, we know he would appreciate any monies directed to either boystown.org or cancer.org.
Memorial services will be held in the Nicarry Meetinghouse at Cross Key’s Village, 2990 Carlisle Road, New Oxford, 1:00 PM January 7, 2023.

Additional visitation and memorial service Saturday June 3, 1:00 PM at Maher Funeral Home 17101 71st Ave., Tinley Park, IL. Internment will be private. In lieu of flowers Jack preferred Boys Town or American Cancer Society.