Kenneth "Ken" R. Cox

Kenneth R. Cox, 97, of Barberton, Ohio passed away on July 1, 2026, after a long, well-lived life spent dedicated to serving others.

Ken was born on October 8, 1928, on the O. C. Barber Farm in Coventry Township, now a part of Barberton. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Dexter Lafayette and Ila Blanche Cox; his wife, Marjorie (Midge) of 62 years; his son, Dr. Timothy Cox; brothers D. Lance Cox (Anne), James R. Cox (Pauline), Dr. William E. Cox; and his sister, Virginia B. Henley (Cecil).  He is survived by his daughter, Patricia DeLand (Robert) of Barberton, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Gina Cox of Barberton, Ohio; grandchildren Adam Cox (Sylvia) of Norton, Ohio, Lindsay Hernandez (Scott) of Fairlawn, Ohio, and Derek Holliday of Barberton, Ohio; and 4 great grandchildren.  He was a devoted husband and father, including being a loving caregiver to Midge in her last years.

Ken graduated from Coventry High School in 1946.  For 9 years during the Korean War period, Ken served in the United States Naval Reserve (USNR) as a recruiter in the Akron area.  He attended the University of Akron while working at BFGoodrich, where he worked for 20 years.  Ken took a leave of absence from his job as Manager of Advertising Production at BFGoodrich after being elected to Mayor of the City of Barberton.  He was elected for 3 terms before resigning to run for the Ohio General Assembly.  He served 4 years in the Ohio House of Representatives and 6 years in the Ohio Senate.  In 1983, Governor Richard Celeste appointed Ken to his Cabinet as the Director of Highway Safety overseeing the State Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  In 1985, the Governor then appointed Ken to be the Director of Commerce, serving until 1988.  Ken retired from the State of Ohio and then served as Consultant of Governmental Affairs for United Telecom (Sprint) until 1993 when he retired to spend more time at home.  During his years in Columbus, Ken also owned the Henley-Cox Insurance Agency in Barberton.

During Ken’s time as State Representative, he was the prime sponsor of the Constitutional Amendment to allow a new way to create County Charters.  After the Ohio Electors passed the constitutional change, Ken started the procedure to set up the committee for Summit County to be the first county to adopted a charter government.

When Ken retired back to Barberton, he was asked to run for President of Barberton City Council.  He was elected and served 4 years.  During this period, he also served as a Trustee of Barberton Citizens Hospital and participated in the decision to sell the hospital to a private corporation.  Using the hospital proceeds, he worked diligently to assist in the creation of the Barberton Community Foundation and served as a board member for the maximum allowed 3 terms (9 years) and Chairman for 1 year.

Ken loved to travel, mostly the US but also some international.  Over a forty-year period, Ken and Midge traveled the US in their motorhome visiting 48 states (which equates to thousands of games of Yahtzee).  They cruised to Hawaii and then in 2017, Ken and Patty cruised to Alaska.  In total, Ken was excited to have visited all 50 states, a personal goal of his.  Ken enjoyed Nascar racing and frequently attended races with friends in his motorhome.  Ken took great pride in his home – he loved a lush lawn and lots of flowers, which he planted every year.       

Ken was also very active in serving in many civic clubs, boards, and commissions.  To name a few:  past President of the Barberton Kiwanis, The Barberton Jaycee’s, Advisory Board Member of the University of Akron College of Nursing, Barberton United Way Fund, Barberton Salvation Army advisory board, Summit County Mental Health Association, Portage Path Community Health Board, Past President of Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, Summit County Democrat Executive Committee, Church Council of Barberton First Baptist Church, Sunday School Superintendent, Board Chairman, and Deacon of South Akron Church of Christ.  Ken was extremely generous in his charitable giving to numerous worthy organizations, as well as his church, First Baptist Church.

In addition, he was active in the Columbus area serving on The Capital Square Foundation Board for the renovation of the State Capitol, The Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Ohio Transportation Research Center, and The United Way of Franklin County (State Chairman of the State Government Employees Division).

Ken was very proud to be chosen Barberton Citizen of the Year in 2006 by the Barberton Community Foundation.  In 2009, he was awarded the Coventry High School Alumni Achievement Award, and in 2019, he was inducted into the Barberton Walk of Fame by the Mayor’s committee.

Ken had a reputation of being fair and honest and able to work outside of political lines.  No one ever cared more about his communities (Barberton, Summit County, and the State of Ohio) and backed it up with his full commitment and service to all.

Ken spent his final 5 years at Pleasant Pointe Assisted Living.  The family would like to acknowledge the outstanding care and dedication he received by all levels of staff at Pleasant Pointe, as well as from Affinity Care Hospice.  A special thanks to his personal caregiver and friend, Paula Stefan, who was not only a source of comfort to Ken but also to his family.

Ken’s funeral service will be held Friday, July 10, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Barberton First Baptist Church, 254 6th Street, N.W., Barberton, Ohio 44203 with Pastor Mike Prebynski and Deacon Robin Adair officiating.  Burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Ken’s family will receive friends on Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church.   

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Barberton Area Community Ministries (BACM), 939 Norton Avenue, Barberton, OH 44203 or online: https://bacm.org/ways-to-help or to First Baptist Church, 254 6th Street NW, Barberton, OH 44203.

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