Dr. Franklin Homer Cox, 85, died on Nov. 15, 2010, at Royal Palm Healthcare and Rehabilitation.
He was born in Detroit, Mich., on Sept. 24, 1925, and moved to Vero Beach from Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1977. During World War II, he served with the Army Air Corps in 1945 with the rank of Flight Officer as a navigator.
He graduated from Wayne State University College of Medicine with High Distinction, being second in his class.
He was awarded Sigma XI Chemistry Honor Society in his first year of medical school and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society in his third year of medical school.
Dr. Cox was chief of staff at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Mich., and vice chief of staff at Indian River Memorial Hospital in Vero Beach.
He was also associate medical examiner 1981-1985 in Vero Beach.
He was board certified in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology and Dermatology. Dr. Cox was a member of the Vero Beach Country Club and Vero Beach Yacht Club.
Survivors include his daughters Jo Ellen Dolecki-Lane, of Dexter, Mich., and Christine Anne Cox, of Vero Beach; grandchildren, Bonnie (Todd) Brandstadt, of East Grand Rapids, Mich., Michael (Anne) Dolecki, of Brighton, Mich., and Kathryn Irene Dolecki, of Vero Beach; great-grandchildren, Nicholas Grant Brandstadt, Jackson Tyler Brandstadt, Cameron Joseph Brandstadt, Mollie Kathryn Brandstadt, Emma Jo Dolecki and Lila May Dolecki.
Dr. Cox was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Audrey Irene (Parks) Cox and his daughter Carolyn Elizabeth.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wabasso School for Exceptional Children, 8895 US 1, Sebastian, FL 32958 or the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC), 1375 16th Ave., Vero Beach, FL 32963.
Services will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church at a later date.
There will be no repose or visitation.
Following cremation, ashes will be interred in the family plot at the Garden of Memories cemetery in Tampa.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home, Vero Beach, FL. Condolences may be sent through www.seawindsfh.com/obit.php.