Thomas Emerson Cox, 83, of Troutman, N.C., passed away, Friday, October 8, 2021, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville, N.C.

Tom “Pop” was born February 25, 1938, in Ingham County, Mich., and was the son of the late James and Lucille Cox. He was the oldest of five siblings. A graduate of Jackson High School in Jackson, Tenn., and Michigan State University in Lansing, Mich., Tom previously owned and managed The New Telephone Company in Hickory, N.C. He was an avid fisherman, skilled bread baker, and faithful member of Troutman Baptist Church in Troutman. Pop was an awesome husband, father, friend, grandfather, and great grandfather. Pop could carry a conversation with anyone and knew no strangers. He enjoyed people and loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ginger Higgins Cox, whom he married on August, 20 1966. Tom was an amazing care giver to her.

Tom is survived by his children, Lisa Cox Bowman (Beau), Catherine Cox Stumtf, Thomas Cox II (Daysi), and James Owen Cox (Tangie). He is also survived by two step-children Lisa Mayfield and Scott Rymer (Jenny Poliquin), along with grandchildren Johnny Bowman (Jamie), John Harding, Stephen Bowman (Laura), Anna Bowman Whitehouse (Jake), Seth Hall, Sam Hall, Simon Hall, Sarah Siebrecht, Alex Cox and Gabe Cox. Tom was a great grandfather to Kate Bowman, Elizabeth Bowman, Charlotte Bowman, Avery Bowman, Jenny Bowman, Sophia Siebrecht, Phoebe Siebrecht, and Noah Siebrecht.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 12, at Iredell Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends thirty minutes prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Troutman Baptist Church or the National Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.