Ira McAllister Cox

Ira McAllister Cox, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Thursday, November 29, 2012 in a Chattanooga hospital. He was a former member of the Lee Atchley Rescue Squad. He was a member of the Bradley County Rescue for 50 years. He served as a reserve officer in the Bradley County Sheriff?s Reserve in the Bradley County Sheriff?s Department. Ira was a constable of the 5th district for fourteen years. He was a member of the Tennessee Constables Association and was a former member of the Cleveland Fire Department. He was a scoutmaster with the Boys Scouts of America. Ira was also a founding advisor of the Bradley County Rescue Explorer Post # 2240. He was the former chapter director of the GWRRA. Mr. Cox was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd W. Cox. Survivors include his wife, Virginia "Jenny" Cox of Cleveland; mother, Bonnie Cox of Cleveland; children: Patti Cox of Sacramento, CA, David Cox of Livingston, TN, Jody Patterson, Linda Smith, Lisa Hall, Johnny Patterson, Mike Patterson and Ronald Dale all of Cleveland; grandchildren, Michael Cox, Brandon Cox, Dree Anna Cox, Kayleigh Cox, Curt Cox, Lana Patterson, Jody Patterson, Chris Smith, Jason Smith, Dale Murray, Whitney Patterson and Haley Patterson; several great-grandchildren; four sisters, Jean Pierce and husband, Billy, Faye Dunn and Paulette Westmoreland all of Cleveland and Carol Boone of Nashville, TN; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 1, 2012 at the original First Baptist Church on Church Street with Rep. Eric Watson and Reverend Bill Griffith officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Crandall, Georgia. Members of the Emergency Services Agencies in South East Tennessee Region will serve as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, November 30, 2012 at the original First Baptist Church on Church Street. The family suggests that memorials be made to the charity of your choice. Ralph Buckner Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Cox family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.