He was born in Sale Creek, Tennessee to the late Thomas Hubert and Maude Clendenen Cox. Tom was a 1955 graduate of Central High School and later inducted into the distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Tom was a 1959 graduate of the University of Chattanooga majoring in accounting. He began his career in the banking industry and later became an officer in a building supply chain for 42 years. After he retired he became financial secretary for his church for 16 years. Tom’s life was dedicated to his faith, family and community service.
He was a Christian and a member of Oakwood Baptist Church of Chattanooga. He enjoyed playing the piano in church from the age of 15 until recently.
He faithfully served on the Board of Directors at Orange Grove Center for more than 45 years and has filled every leadership role, including President and multiple terms as treasurer.
Tom was a torch bearer in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay in Kingston, Tennessee. His insistence on professional quality and integrity was equally balanced by his personal humility and generosity. He was a member of the Special Olympics Area IV, committee member as well as a volunteer for Chattanooga Ballet. Following in his father’s footsteps he was an active member of the Harrison Ruritan Club and the Valley Forge Freedom Foundation.
Tom is survived by his wife, Mary Claudette Williams Cox; son, David (Donnee) Cox; daughter, Donna Leigh Cox; grandchildren, Kathryn (Sam) DeVault of Nashville and Thomas Clay (Rachel) Cox of Signal Mountain; great grandchildren, Emma Kathryn Cox and Oliver Thomas DeVault;
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 pm on Saturday, January 21, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
A CELEBRATION of Tom’s life will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, at Oakwood Baptist Church, 4501 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37416 with his Pastor Ken Clark officiating. Serving as pallbearers are Thomas Clay Cox, Sam DeVault, Bob Willie, Buford Clendenen, Ray Holdaway, Dr. Rick Rader, Charlie Hall and Rusty Atkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Orange Grove Board of Directors.
Burial will be private for the family on Monday at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Oakwood Baptist Church, 4501 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37416 or Orange Grove Center, 615 Derby Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
