Ellsworth Cox

JEROMESVILLE – Ellsworth Cox, 89, born on December 26, 1927, in Uhrichsville, OH, passed away on Sunday, July 2, 2017. He is survived by his wife, of 69 years, Edwinna (Stewart) Cox., and five children, Jeffrey (Ann) Cox, Reynoldsburg, OH, Marlyn (Ken) Krueger , Napoleon, OH, Diane Leicy, Mansfield, OH, Steve (Dixie) Cox, Gahanna, OH, Carol Cox, Greenville, SC, and four grandchildren, Lindsey (Danny) Green, Aurora, CO, Corey Cox, Troy, OH, Kari (Alex) Barnett, Lynchburg, VA, and Allison Cox, Gahanna, OH, sister-in-law Donna (William) Cox, New Philadelphia, OH, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by a son, Michael James Cox, his parents John and Christina (Devore) Cox, two sisters, and spouses, Juanita (Roy) Thompson, Martha (Ray) Tschudy, and six brothers, Charles (Savonna) Cox, Howard (Gerri) Cox, Johnny (Helen) Cox, William Cox, Ben (Virgina) Cox, and Harold (Helen) Cox.

Ellsworth graduated from Tuscarawas High School in 1945, where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He attended Wittenberg University (Springfield, OH), which is where he met Edwinna. He played football for one year at Wittenberg and graduated with a degree in Health & Physical Education (minor in History) in 1949. He began his teaching and coaching (basketball & baseball) career at Warsaw, OH (Coshocton County) in the 1949-50 school year. In 1955, after four years at Warsaw, Ellsworth moved his family to Ashland County where began teaching at Hayesville High School. He taught Social Studies, Health and PE, and was the football, basketball, baseball, and track coach. His athletic teams at Hayesville won several Ashland County League Championships. With the consolidation of Hayesville and Jeromesville, Ellsworth moved to Hillsdale High School as the head basketball coach, where he taught American Government, Health and PE. He stopped coaching in 1969 and was Hillsdale’s Athletic Director until his retirement from teaching in 1985.

Ellsworth first picked up a golf club in the late 1950’s and became a “scratch” golfer. He won several club championships at the Round Lake, Glenwood Golf and Mohican Hills Golf Courses in Ashland County. He also won several club and senior titles at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Canada. He recorded three holes-in one, and on June 2, 1962, he set a course record (nine holes) at Round Lake with a score of 31.

During retirement, Ellsworth and Edwinna traveled the country in their motorhome, owned a fishing cottage in Canada for the summers, and wintered in Mission, TX. He once said, “The biggest decision I need to make when I wake up in the morning is whether I’m going fishing or golfing”.

Services will be 10:00 AM Thursday July 6, 2017 at Fickes Funeral Home in Jeromesville with Pastor Jerry Rhea officiating. Burial will be in Medway Cemetery in Medway, Ohio. Friends may call Wednesday July 5, 2017 from 4-8 pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ashland County Community Foundation 300 College Ave. Ashland, OH 44805 or to Ohio Health Mansfield Hospice 335 Glessner Ave. Mansfield, OH 44903.

Online condolences may be made at www.fickesfuneralhome.com.

Category: Obituaries