Chet CoxFlowoodChester Sidney Cox died on July 4, 2017 at his home in Flowood, surrounded by his loving family. How fitting it is that Chet received his independence from cancer on Independence Day. He fought the battle with osteosarcoma for over three years. He was 60 years old.Chet was born on August 31, 1956 in Canton to Ada Rozell Patterson and Cornelius Sidney Cox. He grew up in Rankin County on the family farm where they raised hogs and chickens. He was active in 4H and the youth activities of Drakes UMC in Flowood. He attended Brandon and Pearl schools, where he played football and was a member of the Beta Club. He was employed at Erwin Industries for 17 years, working in the fabrication shop and eventually becoming the purchasing agent. In 1991, Chet and his brother started Cox MHP Inc. The businesses first location was in Flowood and has since expanded to include a facility in Morton. They initially designed and built custom machines, moving later into small volume manufacturing and are now also doing military and aerospace work. Chet was a member of St. Mark's UMC in Brandon, where he was a member of Ways & Means SS class. He was an avid duck hunter. He loved working with his hands and was a true jack of all trades. He was a true American patriot and loved his country and family. He will be remembered for "living life to the fullest", his bright smile, and his laughter that was larger than life. Chet and Beth enjoyed traveling, visiting and camping in many parts of the U.S.A. They also enjoyed cruising, visiting Alaska, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Hawaii. He was preceded in death by his parents Pat and Sid Cox of Flowood and his brother Nathan Cox of Canton. He is survived by his wife of 35 years Beth Herring Cox and his children: Jason (Lacey) Cox, Justin (Caitlin) Cox, and Jennifer (Eric) Williams. He was a proud Pop to his precious grandchildren Joley, Jonah, Sawyer, and Matthew. Others survivors include his sister Stella (Don) Smith of Flowood, his sisters in law Mary Jane Cox of Canton, Jan (Bill) Boteler of Raymond, Marsha Lane of Macon, and Becky (David) Gaffney of Birmingham, AL; his brothers in law Gene (Dianne) Herring of Raleigh, and Alan (Mary) Herring of Holbrook, AZ; and other family members including aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be Friday, July 7 from 5-7 p.m. at St. Mark's UMC on Grant's Ferry Road. A celebration of Chet's life will be held Saturday, July 8 at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Mark's UMC. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1 p.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Montgomery Cemetery in Madison. Memorials may be made to St. Mark's UMC, 400 Grant's Ferry Road, Brandon, MS 39047 or to gifts.mdanderson.org designated for cancer research.