Walter Lee Cox, 75, of US Hwy 1188 Highway 74 Business, Bostic, North Carolina, died February 2, 2022, surrounded by his loving family at home after a brave battle with pancreatic and liver cancer.

Born in Gastonia, N.C., he was the husband of Janet Hughes Cox, a beloved father and “PawPaw,” and the oldest son of the late William Barber Cox and Juanita Cothran Cox. He was a graduate of Ashley High School in Gastonia, Class of 1964, and attended Gaston College, where he played on the basketball team and earned the nickname “Spider.”

Walter was known for his outgoing and positive spirit, strong faith and service, and love for all people. He was an active member of his church communities, including St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beaufort, S.C., where he coached soft ball, served on church council, and led the Angel Food Ministry and Operation Christmas Child efforts. He continued those efforts at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gaffney, S.C., where if a there was a need, he would help fill it, including “singing” in the choir. He also started a very popular annual oyster roast that raised money for the church’s youth ministry. He most recently attended Forest City United Methodist Church in Forest City, N.C.  He was the past President of the Kiwanis Club in Forest City.

If you knew Walter, you knew he was a diehard Carolina Tarheel fan and avid sports fan. March Madness was a high holiday and his favorite time of year. He combined his love of athletics and Christian faith with his involvement in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He eventually became the volunteer president and director of the Cherokee County, S.C., chapter of FCA, where he increased fundraising and membership during his tenure.

He was a 30-year employee of the South Carolina Employment Security Commission, first in Charleston, S.C., and later in Beaufort, S.C., where he received the South Carolina State Employee Award. He was also recognized for his outstanding service with the National Association of State Workforce Agency James Wall Award and One Stop Workforce Employee of the Year Award in 2010.

Survivors include his wife, Janet; son James Robert Cox (Amber) of Bostic; daughters Beverly Cox of Atlanta and Elizabeth Cox (Eric) of Wilton, N.H.; five grandchildren, Rebekah Floyd, Eric Byrne Jr., Jaylen MacKenzie, Jayden Lee Cox, and Zoey Elizabeth Cox; and two great-grandsons, Jackson and Emmett. Walter was preceded in death by his two younger brothers, William David Cox and Robert Stephen Cox.

The family will receive friends from 2 – 3 p.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022 at First United Methodist United Methodist Church in Forest City, NC. The memorial service will immediately follow in the church at 3 p.m. with the Rev. James (Bucky) Brown and Rev. Curtis Goforth officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice and commit a random act of kindness for others. GLYASDI.

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com

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