PEDRO — Windel Cox, 86, of Pedro, died Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, at the VA Medical Center in Huntington, W.Va. The Elliott County, Kentucky native was born March 12, 1925, the son of the late Virgil and Effie Carroll Cox. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Whitt Cox, whom he married June 28, 1948.

Mr. Cox attended Grayson, Ky., schools. Mr. Cox served as a proud veteran in the U.S. Army during WWII in Germany. After completing his duty to our country, he returned home and worked as a coal miner but spent most of his life as a farmer. One of his favorite hobbies was to dig ginseng root and to be outdoors with nature.He was of the Pentecostal faith.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, James Eugene Cox; and two sisters, Gladys Binion and Dovie Roth.

He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Kris Sharma of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; daughter, Donna Malone of Pedro; son, Cecil Cox of Pedro; daughter, Jannie Cox of Pedro; daughter, Denise Cox of Ironton; a sister, Faye Click of Ironton; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday at Hayes-Phillips Funeral Home with Rev. Major Cox officiating. Burial will follow in Vernon Furnace Cemetery with military graveside rites by the VFW 8850. Visitation will be Monday from noon until the time of the service at the funeral home. Donations may be made to Phillips Funeral Home to help cover the cost of the services. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.