Richard Haywood Cox, Jr.

Richard Haywood Cox Jr. was born September 9, 1937 to Rachel and Richard Haywood Cox Sr. in Grantham outside of Goldsboro, NC. He was the second of two boys (older brother Lemuel Cox of Greensboro). He played basketball for Grantham High School and won the Wayne County High School Basketball Championship.

Richard attended UNC, Elon and Cambell. He grew up on a tobacco farm which led him to work the tobacco auctions that then led him to a long career with RJ Reynolds where he bought tobacco in Greece, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Bulgaria and what was once Yugoslavia. While living in Kavala, Greece he met his wife Diana Pantel Cox of Detroit, MI. They got married on June 13, 1965. They had three children, Katherine Rachel Sugg (Mark), Richard Haywood Cox III (Malia) and Michael David Cox (Kristy). He had four beautiful grandchildren which brought him much joy, Kainalu and Sarah Cox of Makakilo, Hawaii and Grace and Anna Katherine Cox of Lake Wylie, SC. Later in life he gained two additional grandsons Matthew and Jonathan Sugg of Greensboro, NC.

Although Richard accomplished a lot over his lifetime he seemed to embrace the Greek way of life enjoying his siestas and easy relaxed lifestyle. Earlier in his life he had liked sports cars and hunting. We always had a family dog and Dad would always form the strongest bond and spoil it the most. Dad loved the beach and nature. He loved to read and watch football and basketball, especially the Tar Heels. He went to every James Madison University Football game the 5 years Michael played there. He also took extreme pride in the accomplishments of his son Rick especially for being a US Air Force pilot. His daughter Kathy inherited his love for planting and making things grow. He loved to spoil his children and his wife. We hope that we each got a piece of his kind heart.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-laws, Sophie Papajohn of Sterling Heights, MI and Bobbie Cox of Greensboro, NC as well as his brother in law Jordan Pantelides of Mt. Clemmons, MI. He leaves behind his brother Lemuel Cox of Greensboro, sister in law Carlene Pantelides, sister and brother-in-laws Markel and Michael DeWolf and several special cousins, nieces and nephews. His kind gentle spirit will be missed by all of us.

A graveside service will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Forsyth Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel.

Memorials may be sent to, Falling Creek Community Church, 3269 Old Grantham Rd., Goldsboro, NC 27530. It is the small Methodist church he grew up going to as a child and returned to whenever possible. It was near and dear to his heart and serves the community from which he came.