Gary Cox

Gary Arnold Cox, 69, (aka “Coxie”) of Mahomet, IL, and later Maineville, OH, passed away on December 11, 2025, after a 7-year battle with Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. He was born on May 12, 1956, to PJ & Reva Cox in Champaign, IL. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Staci, of Blue Ash, OH; his sons Garrett (Amanda) of Charlotte, NC, and Gavin of Cincinnati, OH; sister Donna (Steve) Sadler, Mahomet, IL; sister-in-law Robyn (Bette) Briggs, Oakland, CA; in-laws Jamie & Craig Slein, Houston, TX; nephews Spencer (fiancé Jo Ellen Weedman) Sadler, Mt. Juliet, TN; Sam (Tiffany) Sadler, Chicago, IL; Zach (Kristen) Henderson, Mahomet, IL; and Kevin (Wendy) Henderson, Fisher, IL as well as many uncles, cousins & friends. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and sister Judy. 

Gary worked as an engineer for Illinois Central Railroad for 14 years, following in the footsteps of his father and many uncles. He then pursued his passion for cars which led to his own wholesale business. He could often be found in the garage, working on or washing cars, blasting music to the dismay of neighbors. He was also part owner of The Hideaway of the Woods Restaurant & Bar in Mahomet, IL, where he loved bartending, hosting, serving and socializing with all the regulars. Gary lived life to its fullest, laughed hard and loved big. He could not be more proud of his family whom he bragged about constantly. He was the life of the party, always telling jokes and pulling pranks on his many friends and family. He never met a stranger and knew people wherever he went. He loved to listen to live music, particularly classic rock, and dance with all the ladies. Fortunately, Garrett inherited his mad dance moves, and Gavin got his love for guitar.

He was super competitive and excelled at euchre, poker, pool, ping pong, & corn hole --usually winning and rubbing it in. He enjoyed all sports – especially the Cardinals and Illini --but most of all playing golf and traveling the country to watch Garrett.

Special thanks to Staci’s P&G family, the Central Parke Memory Care team who loved their “Gar Bear,” & Crossroads Hospice.

A Celebration of Life will be held December 20, 2025, from 2-5pm CST at the Champaign-Urbana Elks Lodge, 903 N Dunlap Ave (Route 45 S), Savoy, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or Seth Rogen’s Hilarity for Charity which supports Alzheimer’s Caregivers.

Mueller Funeral Home is honored to serve the Cox family.