Craig C. Cox

Craig Cox left this earthly life on Friday, June 10th, 2022 in the arms of his loving family after a long illness. He was born January 28, 1945 in Tupelo, MS. His family later moved to Mobile, AL, where he grew up. He graduated near the top of his class at Murphy High School in 1963. He received a B.S. from Auburn University in 1967 and graduated with honors with a Master’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1969. Through his travels, he began his life in Illinois where he met Bonnie Bain and they were married August 9, 1969. He was a First Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers during the Vietnam War. He later worked for Twin Disc for 30 years, several of which were with T.D. Electronics, and he held two work patents. In his retirement, he began volunteering at St. Bridget Church & School in Loves Park, which led to his eventual hiring. He enjoyed keeping everything running smoothly in the church and school environments, and worked at St. Bridget from 2012 to present. He will be missed and continue to be loved by his wife, Bonnie, his children, Alan (Gwen), David (Shelly), James, and Annie, his sister, Ginny Schweitzer, and his brothers James and Richard. He leaves behind grandchildren Ruby, Mia, Adrian, Jude, Xander, Cayden, Grace, Maggie, Norah, Oliver, and his best buddy, Gavin, with whom he had a very special bond. He loved few things more than the time they spent together. He was happiest when he and Gavin were working on a special project or fixing things needing to be fixed. He leaves behind many friends from across the years including Mike Derry, his best friend of almost 50 years. Craig was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Richard Cox, in-laws Alberta and Jim Bain, a granddaughter, Faith, and two children lost to miscarriage.
A visitation will take place on Thursday, June 16, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until the time of rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108. Funeral Mass will take place the following day, Friday June 17 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave, Loves Park, IL 61111. Burial to follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Oregon, Illinois. To send online condolences or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com