Johnnie “Joe” Cox, 76 of Huntington, WV passed away Wednesday July 13, 2011 at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2:00 pm at Community of Grace United Methodist Church with Rev. Steve Hamrick officiating. Entombment will follow at Woodmere Memorial Park He was born November 2, 1934 in Huntington a son of the late Bernard Marshall and Avis Drown Cox. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters, Betty Leep, Janet Cox and Alma Ray. After graduation from Barboursville H.S. he started in the Chemical Lab at Standard Ultramarine. He received special schooling at the University of Michigan and Ohio University and rose to be acting plant manager. Joe retired from BASF with 45 years of service as manager of all plant services. With BASF he served on the company’s negotiating team. He was instrumental in starting the Junior Achievement program both in Huntington and Ashland. He was formerly on the Board of Director’s of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs. He was an avid hunter and belonged to the Hilltop Sportsmen Club. Joe was a member of the Community of Grace United Methodist Church (formerly Highlawn), the Huntington Museum of Art and the Marshall Big Green. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Gayle, a daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Mike DeBorde of Springboro, OH, a step grandson, Logan DeBorde of Lexington, KY; a sister and brother-in-law, Bernice and David Reed of Ft. Peirce, Fl; brother-in-law, Jim Ray of Cincinnati, OH; and a special sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Judy and Bill Muth of Huntington. Joe was very close to his nieces and nephews; Terry Leep of South Point, OH; J.D. Leep of Miami, FL; Gary (Pam) Leep of Proctorville, OH; Steve (Diane) Ray of Hamilton, OH; Rob (Judy) Muth of Coconut Creek, FL; Mark (Cari) Reed of Huntington; Mary “Susie” (Joe) Pichert of Columbus, OH; Janetta (Eric) Fischer of Columbus, OH; Debbie (Rob) Steiff of Hilliard, OH; Toni Ray of Hamilton, OH; and Laura Muth of Gaithersburg, MD. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Community of Grace U.M.C., Huntington Museum of Art or the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Huntington. The family will receive friends on Monday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 pm at Community of Grace U.M.C.