Thomas H. Cox

Born April 12, 1931 in Bloomington, Indiana to Aubrey L. and Hazel (Hughes) Cox, he married Phyllis A. Polmanteer on February 14, 1952 in Hornell, New York. She died on June 19, 2021 in Marquette Heights.

He also was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Bryan Morse.

Surviving are three daughters, Nancy Cox of Bloomington, Diana “Susie” (Ralph) Chance of Marquette Heights and Sandy Morse of Tremont; one son, Jerry (Connie) Cox of Pekin; nine grandchildren, Jenny Cox of Chandler, Arizona, Steven Cox, Danny (Chelsea) Cox, both of Pekin, Eric (Kristen) Chance of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Eran Chance of Pekin, Rissa Chance, Jeremy Chance, both of Marquette Heights, Jenny Morse of Pekin and David (Ashley) Morse of Lincoln; fifteen great-grandchildren and eleven great-great-grandchildren.

He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Thomas was a graduate of Purdue University and worked at Caterpillar, Inc. for 38 years, retiring in 1996.

He was a life and 65 year member of Empire Lodge 126, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Pekin, where he served as Master in 1967 & 1997, as Treasurer from 1999 to 2016 and was a Lodge Instructor from 1991 to 2011. He was also a member of Cathedral Lodge, and an Honorary member of Grand View, and Manito. He was a member of the Royal Arch Masons where he served as Excellent High Priest, Council, and Commandery where He earned the KYCH award and was in the Red Cross of Constantine.

His masonic service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. There will be no visitation. Inurnment will follow the service at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Air Force and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Life Membership Fund for Grand Lodge of State of Illinois.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com