James Frederick Cox

James Frederick Cox, of Gray, went to be with his Lord on September 14, 2009, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Sullivan County, he had lived in Washington County since 1983.

Fred graduated from Sullivan West High School and served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Purdy 734. He was owner of the Underpass Shell/Sunoco Service Station and Wrecker from 1952 - 1976 and also AI Auto Salvage and Wrecker Service from 1968-1983. Additionally, Fred was "Gatekeeper of the Club" of the Tri-Cities Lifestyles Center from 1987-2009, and he was a Baptist.

Fred loved to exercise, walk, travel, and play Bingo with his wife, Linda, and will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Fred was known as "Pe Paw" to the grandchildren and "G-Paw" to the great-grandchildren. He was proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Fred was preceded in death by his mother and father, Claude and Jessie Rhea Robinette; beloved grandfather, James Aiken Wells; and great-granddaughter, Abby Fletcher.

He is survived by his soul-mate of 43 years, Linda, to whom he was a devoted and loving husband; sons and wives, Jim and Mary Cox and Steve and Marlene Cox, and daughter, Kathy Cox, all of Kingsport; grandchildren, Tonya Cox Fletcher and husband Scott, Mikey and Tiffany Cox, Nick Cox, and Dustin Cox; great-grandchildren, Austin and Alley Fletcher, Riley, Brayden, and Maddie Cox; sister and brother-in-law, Claudia and Rev. Jay Frazier of Rockledge, FL; nieces, Jessica and Jennifer; brothers-in-law, Billy Watts of Gray, and Buster Watts of Kingsport; sister-in-law, Mary Bailey of Kingsport; nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 8:00 p.m. with Rev. Jay Frazier and Rev. Clarence Bear officiating.

Entombment will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday at Washington County Memorial Gardens Mausoleum with military rites conducted by American Legion Posts 3/265. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Sproles, Floyd Carr, Brownie Sheffield, Scott Ford, Eric Ford, Charles Wells, Buster Watts, Bill Watts, and all of Fred's friends at Tri-Cities Lifestyle Center.

A special thanks to Bristol Regional Oncology Palliative Care Unit and Wellmont Hospice House caregivers, Dr. Cowan, Dr. Reeves, Dr. Booze, Dr. Baumrucker, and Brenda Friend, NP, for the excellent care during Fred's courageous battle with cancer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wellmont Hospice House; 280 Steeles Road; Bristol, TN 37620, or to the charity of choice.