Obituary of Walt Cox

January 7, 1948 – January 30, 2024

Walter Alexander Cox.  Age 76 of Saline, formerly of Wyandotte.     

Beloved husband of Patricia Cox.  Loving father of William Kelly (Jaime Lee) Cox, Kristin Nicole Cox and the late Michael Kelly Cox.  Dearest grandfather of Michael Kelly Cox and Nolan Alexander Cox.  Dear brother of Frances (the late Bill) Vasher, Jean (the late Carl) Wong, Midge (Tom) Hennig and the late James Franklin (Lois) Cox.  Preceded in death by parents William Kelly Cox and Grace Norvell Cox.  Also survived by many nieces, nephews, family and friends. 

Family Tribute ~ 

Walt was born in Detroit and raised in Wyandotte, where he lived the majority of his life.  He was a car enthusiast at a young age, owning and rebuilding cars even before he could legally drive.  Walt graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1967.  He and Patty were high school sweethearts. 

In 1967, Walt was drafted to the Army.  While on R & R from Vietnam, he asked Patty to meet him in Hawaii where they married in August 1969.  Their son Michael Kelly was born in 1970.  William Kelly and Kristin Nicole soon followed. 

Working in the automotive industry, Walt ultimately landed at Cadillac’s Clark Street Assembly, the same plant from which his father retired.  He was an experimental assembler, working on concept cars - making sure what was designed was actually feasible in vehicles.  Walt transferred to the GM Tech Center in Warren upon the Cadillac Plant closure and retired from GM in 2007.

Walt had a passion for drag racing, frequenting the Detroit Dragway and Milan Drag Strip.  He built engines, modified vehicles, admired classic cars, and often attended auto shows.  Walt always was repairing or diagnosing a car and it seemed there wasn’t anything he could not fix. 

Ever a music enthusiast, Walt had a love of classic rock.  He frequently quizzed Patty and his children on which artist performed the song playing on the radio.  He appreciated lyrics and almost always had music on in the background.

Walt was always amazing with children, giving them rides on his tall shoulders.  Nothing could light up his face more than his grandchildren Michael and Nolan, whom he adored.  He would feed them or rock them to sleep, sometimes sneaking in a nap for himself too. 

More than anything, Walt was a generous, kind, and amazing man.  There wasn’t a person he wouldn’t help or car advice he wouldn’t give.  His motto was to leave something in better condition than he found it and he was known to polish a borrowed tool before he returned it.  We are all grateful for the lessons, patience, and love he shared with us. 

Please consider a memorial contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.