Orval Clifford Cox, Sr.

DURHAM Mr. Orval Clifford Cox, Sr., 86, of Durham, died on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at the Croasdaile Pavilion.
Mr. Cox was born in Maben, WV, the son of the late Kermit Owen Cox and Melissa Baldwin Cox. He was preceded in death by his wife, Garlene Burris Cox and brother, Robert Cox.
He is survived by his son, Cliff Cox, Jr. and wife Angie of Bahama; daughter, Jackie Cox Callahan and husband, Tim of Roanoke Va.; two brothers, Stan Cox and wife, Suzanne of Landis, NC and Ran Cox and wife, Betty of Mooresville, NC; four grandchildren, Logan Cox, Justin McLaughlin, Kip McLaughlin, Tyler Callahan and great-granddaughter, Brooke McLaughlin.
He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, serving during the Korean War. He was the morning DJ for WSAT in Salisbury, General Manager for WTIK in Durham and announced the Durham Bulls ballgames and the Northern High School Sports and also owned the Bug Barn in Durham. He retired from GE Micro Circuits Corp. He was a member of Gorman Baptist Church, where he was in the handbell and adult choirs and was sound engineer. Orval and Garlene spent many years drag racing before changing to auto cross, road racing and finally round track. They won several championships during their racing career. Orval’s racing career ending after winning the Baby Grand National Championship of NASCAR.
Orval loved to play golf, taking his son, Cliff, under his wing to share his love of the game. His golfing highlights were his “Hole in One”, shooting his age “78”, and winning at least one tournament a decade for 40 years.
Orval started his musical career in West Virginia singing and playing bass with his family on the local radio station. Once out of the military he played Baritone Sax in the Army Reserve Band. He and his brother played all over the Western part of the state from High Point to the mountains. Orval continued to play Bass with his son and many other great musicians in Durham until his death.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Gorman Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Ran Whitley. Burial will be in Oak Grove Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Justin McLaughlin, Kip McLaughlin, Tyler Callahan, Colby Pleasants, Scott Pleasants and Logan Cox.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Gorman Baptist Church for the music ministry, 3315 East Geer Street, Durham, NC 27704. Online condolences can be made at www.hudsonfuneralhome.com.