Basil Edward Cox

FUNERAL: 10:30 a.m. Friday October 12, 2012 at New Life Community Church, 1450 State Road 135 Nashville, IN 47448 with Pastor Tim Conboy. VISITATION: 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to services Friday at the church. BURIAL: Greenlawn Cemetery, Nashville, IN MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Basil Edward Cox, Jr., a long time resident of Brown County, passed away on October 7th, 2012, at the age of 69 after battling cancer for the past six years. He died at Johnson Memorial Hospital surrounded by the people he loved. Ed was born on April 6th, 1943, in Gary, Indiana to parents Basil Edward Cox and Helen Ling Cox. Having been born in Gary, Ed grew up in Cedar Lake, Indiana ultimately graduating from Lowell High School in Lowell, Indiana. He also served our country in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969 and was a member of the American Legion. On October 10th, 2001, he married Shelia Carr and they carved out a happy life together for more than a decade in Nashville, Indiana. They were introduced to each other by Ed's daughter-in-law and Shelia's daughter, who had been working together and collectively decided to set their parents up on a date. It is safe to say that Ed was awestruck the moment he first saw Shelia. He knew that she was too special to let slip away! Ed led an interesting life structured by dedication, discipline, and enjoyment. He rarely missed an opportunity to appreciate a beautiful view, enjoy the quiet dining of small locally owned restaurants, or carve out some time in his life to travel. He had many former businesses including a home building venture, tour guide developer, and co-owner of the Nashville Express. He is most well known for his tours on the Nashville Express and was able to meet thousands upon thousands of people over the course of more than two decades (many of whom would return the following year or two just to take Ed's tour again). His grandchildren (step-grandchildren) would affectionately refer to him as "Papa Train Man". Once the seasons started to change and the temperature began to drop, the Nashville Express would shut down for a short period of time, but Ed never did! He would use this time to travel to his favorite places such as Gatlinburg, TN, the Smokey Mountains, and Florida. He would write poetry, take scenic drives into new places, and enjoy everything that Mother Nature had in store for him. He was a man who tried hard never to take the little things for granted. He is survived by his wife, Shelia Cox; his children, Steve Walters, Bradley Eric (Stephanie) Cox, Danielle Ann (Brian) Norcutt, Ryan Jason (Michelle) Cox, Toby James Cox, and Harmony Joy Cox. His step children include: Jamie (Michael) Kleinhenz, Aaron (Jenni) Carr, Carrie (Dave) Carman, Andrea (Jeff) Mills, Curtis (Maddie) Carr, Ben Wachter, Brian Wachter, Barry Wachter, and Braden Wachter. His grandchildren include: Tyler Cox, Briar Cox, Bryce Gray, Devan Ward, Isabell Stamper, Aiden Norcutt, Carter Norcutt, Cadence Cox, and many step-grandchildren. Ed also leaves behind a niece, Denise Banton. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters (Ann Melton, Marilyn Gross, and Janette Farney).