Albert Ernest Cox Sr.

Albert Ernest Cox Sr., known to most as ‘Pod,’ 74, of Dalton, departed this life Friday, Dec. 23, 2005, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Cox was born July 22, 1931, in Whitfield County, a son of the late Albert W and Hazel King Cox.

Mr. Cox was preceded in death by three brothers, Tommy Lee, Charlie E., and Bobby R. Cox, and a son-in-law, Wayne Smith. He was a member of of the Word of Life Church and the VFW. Cox entered the Army in 1947 at age 16. He served our country in the 31st Infantry Regiment from early 1947 until 1950, where he fought in the Korean War. He re-enlisted in the late 1950s and served with the 86th Cal. Co. until May 1954. He was injured by a grenade that went off next to him while in the Korean War and was captured by the enemy, who took him as a prisoner of war and held him captive in a prison camp for more than a year.

Cox was awarded these medals while serving his country, and others that were destroyed in a house fire: the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, and the Citation Medal. He also received the Purple Heart for bravery in the line of duty when he helped a wounded buddy who was also hurt in the line of duty.

Pod, as he was called by his friends, never liked to talk about the war of his bravery while serving his country. He said many times in war, there is nothing to brag about, only death.

Cox is survived by his loving wife, Helen Ridley Cox of the residence; daughter, Susan Smith of Dalton; sons and daughter-in-law, Junior and Wanda Cox of Dallas, and Michael Cox; sisters and brother-in-law, Helen L. and Uhland Hope, and Arnold S. Whitfield, all of Dalton; brother and sister-in-law, Jerry M. and Lorene Cox of Dalton; grandsons, Brandon Hall, Tristian Smith, Dillard Smith, and Jessy Cox; granddaughters, Summer Smith, Kala Cox and Shelly Cox; brothers-in-law and spouses, Bobby and Pam Ridley, Buzzy and Ponzie Ridley; sisters-in-law and spouses, June and Troy Parker, Betty and Lane Ritchey, and Howard and Poly Ridley; and nieces and nephews.

Services are Tuesday at 3 p.m. from the Melrose Chapel of Ponders Funeral Home with the Rev. June Parker officiating. Burial will be in Elrod Cemetery at Welcome Hill Baptist Church with military honors being accorded by the American Legion Post 112. The family will begin receiving friends at the funeral home today after 5 p.m.

Condolence messages may be sent to the Cox family by visiting the Web site at www.pondersfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements by locally owned and operated Ponders Funeral Home, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton. Your selected independent funeral home.