Robert J. "Bobby" Cox , 69, of Panama City Beach, FL, died December 11, 2014 in Michigan. He passed away peacefully from heart failure with his children by his side at a local hospital.

Bob was born August 21, 1945 in Detroit, MI to Francis J. Cox and Marie (Nicholas) Cox and lived most of his life in Wayne, Westland and Brighton, MI. He worked many places in his lifetime, including: Northville State Hospital, Eloise State Hospital, Ford Motor Company and the Westland Fire Department. He retired as a Manufacturers Representative for the auto industry and moved to Florida in 2000.

Bob loved good music, good food and an ice-cold beer ("on tap, if you have it."), motorcycles, fast cars and pretty women – not necessarily in that order. He played guitar and loved performing his own original songs. He wrote many songs and was very proud that some had been published. When he was younger he loved hunting and fishing. Even though he had given up hunting in his later years, he still loved fishing, especially salt-water fishing and he went out on the water with his oldest friend, Tom Pardo, as often as he could. He loved having barbeques and seafood "boils" at his house in Florida and hanging out with his many amazing friends. He was very proud that he still had good friends that he had known since grade school.

Bob is survived by his children, JoAnn Cox-Montes (John Montes) and Joseph (Cathy) Cox; his sister, Adeena Bock; his grandchildren, Zachary Montes, Elijah-Wyatt Montes, Rachael Montes and Jessa-Rose Montes; nieces, Denise (Frank) McMullen, Laura (Jim) Whiting, Linda McCraney, Kathleen (Gregg) Angelosanto and nephew, Robert (Mary) Frayer; and several great-nieces, great nephews and cousins. He is also survived by too many close friends to mention, but just a few of his oldest friends are, Tom Pardo, Bob (Linda) Vincent, Doug (Carolyn) Glasgow, Dennis (Pat) Glasgow, Danny (Dianna) McComas, Joe Kadlec, Richard Nelson, Pete Gates and John Cole.

He told his children, shortly before his passing, “I’ve had a good ride. I’ve lived at least three lifetimes and seen and done more than most men do in one lifetime.” Right to the very end, Bob lived by his own rules. We will miss his songs, his corny jokes, his amazing stories, his wise advice and his unconditional love. To his children, Bob was a hero and an incredible dad. The rest of the world may not have realized that the little sigh, the small catch in their breath that they felt in the early morning of December 11, was the universe acknowledging the loss of a wonderful man.

Bob loved nothing more than a good party with good friends and with that in mind, a Memorial Reception is being held Saturday, May 16 at Livingston County Wildlife & Conservation Club 6060 E Mi State Road 36, Whitmore Lake, Michigan 48189 beginning at 12:00. All of Bob’s friends and family are invited to join us in remembering him and celebrating his life with love and laughter. For more information, please contact JoAnn Cox-Montes at 734-776-4137. A second Memorial will be held in Panama City Beach, FL at a later date.