John Cox, Jr.

John Linwood Cox, Jr., 78, of Greenwood, husband of Carolyn Ann Dixon Cox, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2026 at his home. 

Born on June 25, 1948 in Charleston, SC, he was a son of the late John Linwood Cox, Sr. and Bernice Knight Cox.

John’s life was firmly rooted in his faith and his devotion to his family. He was a dedicated member of West Side Baptist Church, where he found great fellowship and community within the Bereans Sunday School class.

Of all his life's achievements, John considered his greatest accomplishment to be the spiritual legacy he left behind: seeing his daughter and grandchildren walk as devoted followers of Christ. He was incredibly proud of his grandchildren and cherished every moment spent surrounded by his family. This upcoming November, John and his beloved wife, Ann, would have celebrated 58 years of marriage—a beautiful testament to enduring love and commitment.

To know John was to know his passion for the South Carolina Gamecocks. A die-hard fan through and through, John was a member of the Gamecock Club for 51 years. His leadership and dedication shone brightly in 1985 when he served as the President of the Greenwood County Gamecock Club. Whether the Gamecocks were playing at home or on the road, John was there in the stands, cheering them on rain or shine.

John will be remembered most for his big heart and outgoing personality. He truly never met a stranger, possessed an endless supply of jokes, and loved nothing more than striking up a conversation with anyone he crossed paths with. His ability to bring joy and laughter into a room will be deeply missed by his family, his church community, and his fellow Gamecock fans.

The family would like to thank the staff of Agape Care especially Lynda, Alisa, Aliyah, Rick, and Michael for their devoted care. 

He is survived by his wife, Ann; his daughter, Donna Gilmer (Chris); sisters, Cherrie Campbell and Jackie Nappier; brother, Robert Cox (Julie); and grandchildren, Kaylee Schaade (Brian), Elijah Gilmer, and Rachel Gilmer (Brady Sanders). 

A celebration of John's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday at West Side Baptist Church with the Rev. Hal Lane officiating. 

Honorary escort will be members of the Bereans Sunday School class and Steve and Jamie Lyles. 

The family will receive friends before the service from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West Side Baptist Church, 215 Bypass 225 S Greenwood, SC 29646.