Pete Cox

Enoch Jordan “Pete” Cox, 93, of Albany, GA died peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Willson Hospice House. Pete was born on January 23, 1932, in Newnan, GA to parents Charles Drue Cox, Jr. and Kate Jordan Cox. Pete’s family moved to Albany, GA when he was twelve years old. He graduated from Albany High School where he played five sports and won thirteen varsity sports letters. He began his college career at South Georgia College, coached by the beloved Coach Johnny Griffith; he was voted the Most Valuable Player by his teammates on the football, basketball, and baseball teams. After two years of military service with the Army, he received a scholarship to attend Furman University; he lettered two seasons as a defensive back in football and won 42 of 43 golf matches, winning the Southern Conference individual title along the way. Pete returned to Albany, GA in 1958 where he worked for the Georgia Printing Company, invested in real estate, and owned a successful coffee business. Pete earned the reputation as one of the state’s fiercest competitors by winning over 150 golf tournaments throughout his career, highlighted by winning the 1963 Georgia State Amateur at Radium Country Club and the 1986 Georgia Senior Open at Sea Island. He also won the Valdosta Open twice, the Jack Oliver Invitational twice, the Albany City Amateur Championship six times, and the Radium Springs Invitational eleven times. As a contributor to the game, his true passion was junior golf, where he freely gave of his time to instill the love of the game into future generations. In 1973, he helped organize the Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA) Junior Sectional Program and served as Chairman for sixteen years; this introductory junior golf competition remains a mainstay of GSGA programs to this day. Pete and South Carolina’s Charlie Rountree created the Georgia-South Carolina Junior Challenge Match, an inter-state junior team match play competition, in 1976. This competition is the longest running of its kind in the United States. After his playing days were behind him, he coached the men’s golf team at Georgia Southwestern State University for two years. Ever the proponent of the game, he worked as a Rules Official at countless tournaments for nearly 30 years. Pete was immensely proud of Albany and helped create the Albany Sports Hall of Fame in 1987, serving as a member of the Board of Directors and as President. He also served on the GSGA Board of Directors, was the GSGA President in 1975-1976, and served as a Director and past Chairman of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Albany Sports Hall of Fame in 1987, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1991, the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame in 1992, and the South Georgia College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. He was presented with the GSGA’s Bill Todd Award in 2011, honoring a volunteer who maintains the highest standard of service and stewardship to the GSGA. Pete was an avid outdoorsman throughout his life, talking often and telling stories of his love for hunting and fishing. He loved his innumerable friends and was colloquially referred to as “Coach” and “Peter Rabbit” by those who knew him best; he never missed an opportunity to spend time with his friends at Lake Blackshear, Mexico Beach, hunting camps, golf tournaments, and annual banquets. He was always at his best when in the woods bird hunting or by the water fishing. Pete’s faithful family loved him dearly, and he loved them dearly as well. As Ducky Wall once wrote, “Jack Nicklaus once said you judge the great ones by the number of championships they win. If that’s true, you would have to rank Pete Cox right at the top.” Our family wishes to thank the outstanding team at Willson Hospice House for the loving care they provided to Pete in his final days. Pete is survived by his children, Missy Funderburk (John) and Dee Cox (Layne) of Albany, GA; grandchildren, Jay Funderburk (Katie) of Albany, GA, Jordan Funderburk of Fernandina Beach, FL, Kate Cox of Albany, GA, and Nolen Cox (Ashley) of Woodstock, GA; great-grandchildren, Madison Cox, Olivia Cox, and baby Funderburk expected in April; and nephew, Drue Cox of Albany, GA. Pete is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Drue Cox, Jr. and Kate Jordan Cox; aunts, Elizabeth “Tuny” Jordan and Sue Vestal; uncle, Enoch Jordan; and brother, C. D. “Sonny” Cox (Louise) of Albany, GA. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 3 PM at Oakview Cemetery (200 Cotton Ave, Albany, GA 31701). Dr. Keithen Tucker and Rev. Laurel Griffith will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Willson Hospice House (320 Foundation Ln, Albany, GA 31707) or to the GSGA Foundation (2205 Northside Dr NW, Ste 200, Atlanta, GA 30305) in memory of Pete Cox.

Pete Cox

January 23, 1932 - March 1, 2025