Melvin K. Cox, Jr.

Melvin K. Cox Jr., 100,  of West Chester, PA  passed away Tuesday July 15, 2025 at Dunwoody Village in Newtown Square.  During his final few months he was cared for at home by the wonderful staff of Main Line Health Hospice.  

He was the husband of the late Elizabeth “Betty”  J. Cox (Williamson).  They were married for 68 years.  

Born at home in Philadelphia on August 30, 1924,  he was the son of the late Melvin K. Cox Sr. and the late Florence Mills Cox.

Mel grew up in Darby. When he was 12 years old he developed Lobar pneumonia.  He was in The University of Pennsylvania hospital for 3 months. He had lung surgery and needed blood transfusions from his dad and a neighbor before his health improved.  His doctors suggested he play an instrument to improve his lung capacity so he started playing the clarinet and later the saxophone.  While at Darby high school, he played in both the band and orchestra.   He was also a member of the Aviation Club and Motion Picture Club.  During the 12th grade, he worked at Cramps Shipyard as he had earned enough credits to graduate and workers were needed due to the war. He also played in local bands and eventually formed his own.  

After graduation in 1942 he attempted to enlist in the navy and army, however, his poor hearing prevented him from doing so. He learned of a special program with the War Dept. and Army Signal Corps.  He went to school to learn both basic and advanced electronics. He then went to Drexel Institute of Technology, now, Drexel,  for additional classes.   He was classified as an Electronics Specialist and was transferred to the US Army Air Corps. He worked at air bases in both Macon, GA and  Savannah, GA. He was a specialist in radar equipment servicing bombers for overseas duty.    

Following the war, he got a job with Philco Corp as an electrical engineer where he worked for 30 years.  He met Betty along the Brandywine a few years after starting at Philco and they married in 1949.   He worked in São Paulo, Brazil for six months in 1972 where Philco-Ford was building a plant.  Mel retired from Philco-Ford in 1975 and then took a position at Bucks County Community College where he worked for 15 years  in their tv studio.  

Mel was a member of the Willistown United Methodist Church and the Lansdowne Masonic Lodge 711.  He enjoyed watching the Phillies and annual trips to Vermont and Cape May.  He and Betty went on various trips through Europe including five trips to Ireland.  They also took  a cruise through the Panama Canal for their 50th anniversary. They spent many vacations traveling with Betty’s cousin Marie and her husband Dick in their RV.   Mel loved doing Sudoku puzzles, working on home improvement projects, watching Lawrence Welk, listening to big band music,  traveling and spending time with family and friends.  

He is survived by his children, Charlene J. Cox and Randall S. Cox (Kelley); grandchildren, Carrie Kita (Christopher); Megan Cox (fiancé Kevin Zunic); step-grandchildren, Amanda Harnish (Bronson) and their blended family of seven children; step grandchild, Taylor Davis; daughter-in-law Bonnie McKee; sister in law, Nancy Cox and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Gary K. Cox and siblings Martin Cox and Florence “Sis” Lehman.   

Services & Interment will be private.  A memorial/celebration of life will be held in the future.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the U.S.O. and/or Boys Town 

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA 610-696-1181; http://www.DellaFH.com