University of North Carolina Athletics
Former Tar Heel Bob Cox Passes Away
September 28, 2016 | Football
Robert Vinsant “Bob” Cox, 90, a kicker on the famed Charlie Justice Carolina teams of the late 1940s, died peacefully on Monday, September 19, 2016, at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center in Wilmington, N.C. following a stroke.
Bob was born in Memphis, Tenn., on September 11, 1926, to Gordon and Daisy Cox.
While attending the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Bob met the love of his life Catherine Carlen. Cathy and Bob were married on December 21, 1948 and had five sons. Bob is survived by his sons Randy (Libby) of Surf City, N.C., Rob (Debi) of New York, NY and Andrew (Nancy) of Clayton, N.C., daughters-in-law Paula Cox of Cary, N.C. and Dawn Cox of Charleston, S.C., 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and his wife Cathy, his two sisters Ruth Blackwell and Jean Akers, and two sons Tom Cox and Dan Cox.
Bob was a larger than life personality who lived a full life! After serving in the Marines during WWII, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While there, he was a member of the storied Tar Heel football team that included Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice as a teammate. He also was a member of UNC's golf team.
After graduating from UNC in 1949, he began his long working history first as an assistant coach for the UNC football team which was followed by opening The Town and Campus clothing store in Chapel Hill. Bob was the National President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1959 which brought the young Cox family to Tulsa, Okla. There were other career stops and moves along the way before Bob finally moved to Wilmington, N.C. after Cathy passed away in 2007. To name a couple, he was Vice President of Long Island Trust while in Manhasset, N.Y. and Vice President of Freedom Federal Savings and Loan in Tampa, Fla. Bob ever wanted to retire from the workforce. As he put it, he always wanted to be “part of the game.” However, well into his 80's, after his health started to decline, Bob unfortunately was forced to leave the “game” he so loved.
Along with his family, Bob's greatest loves were: anything to do with his beloved Tar Heels, golf, fishing, gardening (one of his nicknames was “Rosebud” as he grew beautiful roses) and talking to anyone who would listen. Although most of his life he was a member of the Methodist church, he joined the Episcopal Church becoming a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Wilmington, N.C. Bob became immersed in studying the Bible and was an active member of the Church which sometimes included teaching Sunday school. He had many friends throughout his years and, despite stepping on a few toes during his dance with life, he was a caring, loving and generous man who will be missed by all.
The Cox family wants to thank all those who cared for “Pop” during his last few years. They especially want to thank the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center who took such good care of him, making his last days comfortable and peaceful.
A memorial service will be planned in the future. In lieu of flowers the Robert V Cox family would like to suggest sending donations to: The memory of Robert V. Cox, % of Lower Cape Fear Hospice. 1919 Physicians Dr. Wilmington, NC, 28400, 910-796-7900
