Happy Birthday Carl – April 27

Well it is hard to believe, but Carl would have been sixty eight (68).  He was born April 27, 1941, in Circleville, Ohio and died November 7, 1988 in or near Washington Courthouse, Ohio.   Carl Edward Cox was the 2nd oldest child and 2nd son of Robert and Goldie Cox.

Carl was always a bit of a rennegade.  He loved to go his own way and seemed to enjoy life to the fullest. I do remember him getting a few punishments at school.  One time he stood up to some teacher.  There was something to do with him getting the paddle at school and getting it again from Daddy when he got home for getting into trouble at school.  I know that once he got a licking with a light cord.  Lordee, we all were so upset about that.  Daddy was bound and determined to make him mind.

I remember one time when Carl, as a teenager, had gotten into something and ran off into the field.  Daddy drove his car down the lane and was standing up on top of the car looking for him.  Carl was a character that everyone seemed to love.  My husband, Pat, still talks about Carl being a lovable type rascal.  

The funny thing is that you would have thought with all those lickings, he and Daddy would have been enemies.  But I remember them hunting and butchering and doing all kinds of things together as Carl became a man. 

We all remember the night Carl saved our lives.  He came home from a date sometime late at night.  As he is going up the stairs without lights and as the dog (can’t remember if it was Tippy or Ginger) was running back and forth, Carl felt the stair wall was hot.  The inside of the chimney was on fire and as we all know, Carl woke us all up and got us all to get out of there.  Some kids were a little reluctant to get up.  I think Gary almost got left up there.  Things are a little fuzzy, but I know we all got out alive, except the birds.  We know if Carl had not gotten home when he did, we all may not have made it out.  One thing for sure, Mommy did not want Carl to get water on her waxed floor.  I do remember sitting in the car with the kids watching the house burn while the fire department was squirting water.  I think they did as much damage as the fire.  

Someday, I hope we all take time to write our memories of the fire, but this is a tribute to CARL. 

Over the years, I do remember him being such a hard worker.   He gave all the men a chance to work for or with him, but took no crap or laziness from anybody.

 

Tommy with Larry and Carl.

Carl over to the far left on a Sunday School outing with Aunt Ethel’s Sunday School class.  I remember being driven there in the back of a truck.  Don’t miss Shirley with her lady like leg position right out in front. 

Carl 14 years old
Carl 14 years old

 Cox Gang 1979

Cox Gang – 1979
Carl with Grandma and Grandpa Cantrell in Kentucky
Carl with Grandma and Grandpa Cantrell in Kentucky

I hope everybody wishes “Carlie” a Happy Birthday.  He is probably up there having a great time laughing and cutting up with them right now.

I added this next part from Carl’s page just to keep it over here on the blog part too. 

Carl’s early childhood was spent mostly in Fairborn, Ohio.  Here is a picture of Carl with Susy Bolin with her arm around her cousin, Annabelle Bolin’s daughter, Cathy Bolin.  Annabelle is Daddy’s sister, Ethel’s daughter, our cousin.  Carl was a skinny kid, wasn’t he.

We spent a lot of time with Annabelle and Bobby Bolin when we lived in Fairborn, in the Holten houses.

Susy, Cathy, Carl

 

 

 

 

Carl joined the Army in …………..

 

 

Married Emma Joyce Leeth in …….

Joyce and Carl Wedding

 

Robert Goldie Joyce Carl at Carl and Joyce Wedding

Carl and Joyce had 3 children

Grandpa Cox at the fair

It was July of 1971 or 1972, Great Uncle Anon came and stayed with us for 2 weeks.  Grandpa and Grandma Cox came down to visit us in Washington Court House, Ohio.  The Fayette County fair was going on.  Uncle Tom Pat and Aunt Sharon Maynard met us all there.  Aunt Sharon dared Grandpa Cox to ride on the super loop.  Well, he was not going to let her call him a chicken.  So they got on the ride, they were hollaring and screaming.  My dad (Carl), mom(Joyce), Tom Pat, Grandma, Uncle Anon and all of us kids were at the bottom laughing.  When the ride went upside down, Grandpa Cox’s dentures, cigarettes, lighter, and wallet all fell on the ground.  When they got off the ride, the guy had to keep everybody off the ride until Grandpa Cox could collect all his things.  The only thing he had a problem finding was his teeth.  They fell into somebody’s lemon shake that was standing there wondering what all the hupla was about.  Because we had such a crowd of people watching those 2 on that ride.  When Grandpa and Aunt Sharon got off the ride, She was puking and he was dizzy.  But it was such a hoot!!  Everybody had such a good time!!!

Larry’s Birth

Larry Lee Cox born January 12, 1949. Robert and Goldie’s 5th child and 3rd son was born in Paintsville, Kentucky at home.

I remember that day. Me and Shirley were locked in a bedroom beside the room Mommy was in. We were four and five years old. The midwife was in the room with Mommy. Of course we could hear some “goings on”. We tried to peek through the keyhole. I remember seeing the bed and Mommy in the bed, but couldn’t see anything else. Then I remember the Midwife coming to the door and letting us see the baby and Mommy. I can’t remember if Daddy was there or where Carl and Tommy were. Maybe, they were in school. Maybe Tommy will remember this.

Grandma and Grandpa – Amon and Nora Cantrell

Mom's Parents, Amon and Nora
Mom's Parents - Amon and Nora
Wonder what year.  How old were they.  They didn’t have grey hair and I doubt they dyed their hair.
It is funny, but this is the way I always remember them. 

Grandpa, Goldie, Roger, Martha, Grandma, Vickie, Myrtle - 1966
Grandpa, Goldie, Roger, Martha, Grandma, Vickie, Myrtle - 1966
I am pretty sure this was Grandma, Grandpa and Roger on a visit to Ohio when I was home from the Army.  Don’t know which house.  Hope Vickie or Martha can remember where we lived when you were this age.

Grandma and Grandpa - Nora and Amon Cantrell
Grandma and Grandpa - Nora and Amon Cantrell
Here is another picture of Grandma and Grandpa standing at the back of their house.  I know the well is back there too.  They don’t look much different – just a little older.  I do hope I can go back through some of my original pictures and match up some dates.

Vickie and Anita Drawing Water at Grandpa's Well in KY
Vickie and Anita Drawing Water at Grandpa's Well in KY
I know we can find the date for this and I think I have a picture of Grandpa helping Vickie and Anita at the well.

Grandma, Grandpa, Carl
Grandma, Grandpa, Carl
Carl visiting Grandma and Grandpa.  Not sure when this was either.  Obviously, a little older.