Mike was born at Cannelton, Fayette County, WV on April 15, 1948, to the late Russell Lee Sr. and Glendola Elizabeth Oliver Cox. He was a retired shift supervisor with Bayer Crop Science with 29 years of service; he was a faithful member of Spring Fork Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a Trustee and sang in the choir. Mike was an avid golfer and was a member of the Army Reserves.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Dallas Eugene and Thomas Ray Cox; paternal grandparents, Harvey and Bessie Cox; maternal grandparents, Ada and Paul Oliver.
Mike is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Kay Fridley Cox; son, James Garen (Lori Ann-Henson) Cox of Culpepper, VA; daughter, Heather Rennea (Joel) Chapman of Elkview; sisters, Virgie McClung, Deborah Gay and Patricia Cox; brothers, Russell L. (Cindy) Cox Jr., Edward S. (Sharon Kay) Cox; grandchildren, Zachary Lee (Katelyn Lynch) Cox, Caleb Nathanel Wells, Ian Michael Chapman, Lauren Elizabeth Cox, Isaiah Alexander Chapman, Isabella Corrine Chapman; great grandchildren, Alivia Tyler, Sadie and Autumn Cox.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday August 8, 2026, at Stevens & Grass Funeral Home, Malden with Pastor Mike Long officiating. Burial will follow at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
A visitation with family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be sent to Kanawha Hospice Care 1606 Kanawha Blvd W Charleston, WV 25387-2536 or Big Bottom Baptist Church Food Pantry 1259 Campbells Creek Drive Charleston, WV 25306.
The online guest book can be accessed at www.stevensandgrass.com.
