On December 18, 1921, Vicky Cox was born in North Dakota to Prairie farmer Victor and his wife Anna Kobelanski. Her father, upon hearing of an astonishing $5 a day wage at the Henry Ford factories in Michigan, moved his family to Detroit when Vicky was 3 years old. Vicky grew up in Highland Park. She graduated from St. Benedict High School in 1940.
After a brief stint in nursing school, Vicky heard that there were jobs in Traverse City. She and a girlfriend travelled north to "God's Country." Both found work at the Parsons Corporation.
Vicky met the love of her life, McKenzie ("Mac") Cox at Oatka Beach Night Club on East Bay just as WW II drew to an end. They married on October 8, 1949 in Traverse City. Mac and Vicky built a house in Traverse City on Peninsula Court, while Mac worked at Cone Drive and Vicky stayed home to raise their son David. In 1958, Mac and Vicky bought the Anchor Motel in Acme on the beautiful East Bay. Mac continued to work at Cone Drive while Vicky managed the Motel for the next 15 years.
Vicky loved her husband, her son, her daughter-in-law, her grandchildren, her family and her friends. Vicky loved her church and her community. She was a frequent volunteer to work funeral luncheons at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She also enjoyed belonging to a sewing club at the Traverse City VFW Hall.
Vicky and Mac could not resist travelling throughout some of America's most picturesque country, Northern Michigan. Many summer and autumn days found Vicky and Mac inside their old Ford Lincoln, picnic basket filled, touring the Upper Peninsula where they ate pasties, took in the scenery, and maybe occasionally slipped into a casino.
After Mac died in 2009, Vicky longed for her immediate family, so she moved to Grand Rapids to be closer to her devoted son David, her loving daughter-in-law Amy and her two gifted and beautiful granddaughters, Kelsey and Natalie. Vicky was a very kind and gracious woman who has left all who knew her feeling blessed for having known her as a friend and relative.
Vicky is survived by her son David Cox, and his wife Amy Markey of Grand Rapids, MI; her beloved granddaughters, Kelsey Cox (Rick Gilliland) and Natalie Cox.
A memorial service will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church on Friday, November 21, 2014 at 11 am with visitation held one hour prior. Graveside services will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Spectrum Health Hospice, 4500 Breton Ave SE , Grand Rapids, MI. 49508 or St. Francis Church, Traverse City, MI.
Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family.
The family is being served by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.