Marland "Ray" Cox

Marland "Ray" Cox, 65, of Bellevue went to be with his Lord Saturday, September 2, 2006, at Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence in Battle Creek.

He was born July 27, 1941 in Monterey, TN, the son of Willie and Dorothy V. (Buckner) Cox.

Ray married Donna J. Stratton on December 14, 1963 in Battle Creek.

He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam Era as an E-4. He enlisted on August 18, 1959 in Detroit, MI and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sargeant in 1966.

Ray worked for the Federal Center as a cataloger until his retirement in 2002.

He enjoyed his computer, looking for antiques and collecting rare coins and paper money. He was an avid sports fan as he loved the Tigers and other Michigan sports teams.

He is survived by his wife, Donna J. Cox, mother, Dorothy V. Cox; children, Marland (Cathy) Cox II of Holt, Rhonda (Sergio) Vitanza of North Carolina, Marcy (Stan Lewis) Jones of Battle Creek, Heather (Everett) Morris of Battle Creek; brother, and sisters, Robert Cox, Sr. of Brookfield, MA, Barb Butcher of Battle Creek, Eva May of Ludington, MI, Carolyn Frost of Otsego, MI, Brenda May of Battle Creek; 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Willie Cox; daughter, Melissa Cox and sister, Lucy Rodriguez.

Visitation will be held at Bachman Hebble Funeral Service on Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, 1:00p.m.. at Bachman Hebble Funeral Service with Rev. Sergio Vitanza officiating.

Burial will be in Fort Custer National Cemetery.

Memorial tributes may be made to Primera Iglesia Pentecostal Unida, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Arrangements by the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, a member by invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes.