Obituary for Joseph "Mighty Mickey" Cox
Ocoee Legend “Mighty Mickey” Cox, 86 of Apopka passed away on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at home.
Mickey (Joseph Paul) was the 5th child of the late Lee and Sandra “Lula” Moore Cox. He was raised in Ocoee with siblings Tommy, Gene, Emma Lou and Catherine. Mickey had 7 stepbrothers and sisters, Jimmy, Donnie, Helen, Sharon, Jane, Kim and Alvin. They were a blended family of 14. He attended Ocoee Jr. High school where he made a name for himself on the football field earning local superstar status and the nickname “Mighty Mickey”. He was a presiding member of the Ocoee Chapter Future Farmers of America in 1951 as well as making Honor Roll his 9th grade year in 1952. He continued his spectacular athletic career at Lakeview High School, lettering each year in both football and basketball. He was a member of the Lakeview Senior Class Citrus Growers and worked with local farmers learning the citrus industry. Weekly newspaper mentions chronicled his high school career as Lakeview’s star halfback with incredible stats. He made the Orange Belt All Conference team his junior year, 1954 and named Captain of the Varsity football team his Senior year. He was tough and fast, gaining the attention of many colleges including Bear Bryant. He opted to remain home and take care of his family.
After graduating, he served his country in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged and returned to Central Florida. Mickey was a drywall finisher by trade and owned his own company for many years with his late brother Gene Cox. They worked on many residential and commercial buildings in the local area. Many early evenings his dad, brothers, cousins, close friends and sons could be found playing music in the front room of their house. When not working he enjoyed the Florida outdoors spending many days fishing on the St. John’s River and camping at the beach. He was a huge Gator fan who loved his team. He had an infectious personality and was loved by all who knew him. He was the patriarch of his family and will be greatly missed.
Mickey is survived by his wife of 42 years Faye Waters Cox, son Ricky and wife Jackie Cox of Leesburg, Florida, daughter Angie Cox Walker and husband Mark Walker of Winter Garden, FL, son Tim and wife Anya Kaleshefski Cox of Winter Garden, FL, daughter Brenda Cox Cown and husband Bob of Maryville, TN, 16 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and his three “Fur Babies” Tebow, Bailey and Scarlett who were always by his side.
He is also survived by his sisters Helen Johnson of Webster, FL, Jane Moye and Larry of Leesburg, Sharon Skipper and Edward of Webster, FL, Kim Brooks and Kelvin of Bushnell, FL; Aunt Martha Little of Ocoee, sister n laws, Amy Bridges, June Moore, Joan Michael, Sue and Johnny Stiles, brother in laws Alex “Rojo” Waters and Joe Walker and so many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at the Winter Garden Elks Lodge at 700 9th St in Winter Garden on Sunday October 30th. 2022 from 1pm – 4pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to The Animal League of South Lake.
Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremation is honored to be serving the Cox Family. Online condolences can be made at winteroakfuneralhome.com
Mickey (Joseph Paul) was the 5th child of the late Lee and Sandra “Lula” Moore Cox. He was raised in Ocoee with siblings Tommy, Gene, Emma Lou and Catherine. Mickey had 7 stepbrothers and sisters, Jimmy, Donnie, Helen, Sharon, Jane, Kim and Alvin. They were a blended family of 14. He attended Ocoee Jr. High school where he made a name for himself on the football field earning local superstar status and the nickname “Mighty Mickey”. He was a presiding member of the Ocoee Chapter Future Farmers of America in 1951 as well as making Honor Roll his 9th grade year in 1952. He continued his spectacular athletic career at Lakeview High School, lettering each year in both football and basketball. He was a member of the Lakeview Senior Class Citrus Growers and worked with local farmers learning the citrus industry. Weekly newspaper mentions chronicled his high school career as Lakeview’s star halfback with incredible stats. He made the Orange Belt All Conference team his junior year, 1954 and named Captain of the Varsity football team his Senior year. He was tough and fast, gaining the attention of many colleges including Bear Bryant. He opted to remain home and take care of his family.
After graduating, he served his country in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged and returned to Central Florida. Mickey was a drywall finisher by trade and owned his own company for many years with his late brother Gene Cox. They worked on many residential and commercial buildings in the local area. Many early evenings his dad, brothers, cousins, close friends and sons could be found playing music in the front room of their house. When not working he enjoyed the Florida outdoors spending many days fishing on the St. John’s River and camping at the beach. He was a huge Gator fan who loved his team. He had an infectious personality and was loved by all who knew him. He was the patriarch of his family and will be greatly missed.
Mickey is survived by his wife of 42 years Faye Waters Cox, son Ricky and wife Jackie Cox of Leesburg, Florida, daughter Angie Cox Walker and husband Mark Walker of Winter Garden, FL, son Tim and wife Anya Kaleshefski Cox of Winter Garden, FL, daughter Brenda Cox Cown and husband Bob of Maryville, TN, 16 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and his three “Fur Babies” Tebow, Bailey and Scarlett who were always by his side.
He is also survived by his sisters Helen Johnson of Webster, FL, Jane Moye and Larry of Leesburg, Sharon Skipper and Edward of Webster, FL, Kim Brooks and Kelvin of Bushnell, FL; Aunt Martha Little of Ocoee, sister n laws, Amy Bridges, June Moore, Joan Michael, Sue and Johnny Stiles, brother in laws Alex “Rojo” Waters and Joe Walker and so many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at the Winter Garden Elks Lodge at 700 9th St in Winter Garden on Sunday October 30th. 2022 from 1pm – 4pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to The Animal League of South Lake.
Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremation is honored to be serving the Cox Family. Online condolences can be made at winteroakfuneralhome.com