Lecil Lavon "Skip" Cox, 71, of Chattanooga, passed away Monday, March 18, 2013, from complications of Rheumatoid arthritis and from a rare Cancer of the blood.He was at home with his loving family. He will be missed very much. He was so very kind, with gentle ways, witty, loving and humble. Skip was a lifelong resident of Chattanooga. He was of the Baptist faith. He was a mechanic by trade. He graduated from Chattanooga High School.Skip served his country in the U.S. Army as Military Police in East Africa State of Kenya. He was a hard working man, providing for his family that he loved so dearly. He had such a tender heart. He could fix anything and he enjoyed a challenge. He loved stock car racing and enjoyed working on stock cars and classic cars. He was the kind of friend anyone would love to have. He has many lifelong friends that he has stayed in touch with through the years. He loved all animals.Skip was preceded in death by his mother, Lorence Cox; father, Lecil Cox; sister, Nina Frizzell; nephew, Ricky Frizzell; and brother-in-law and best friend, David Erwin.He leaves behind to cherish his memories, his loving wife, Sandra Cox, of 27 years; his sister, Tina Colby, of Chattanooga; daughter, Susan Anderson, of Chattanooga; stepchildren, David Smith, of Chattanooga and Lena Smith, of Chattanooga; step-grandchildren, Tiffany Sweeney, Thomas Sweeney and Marissa Smith; step-great-grandchildren, Gaige Piccirollo and Collin Watson; nephew, Stacy Frizzell; niece, Erika Colby; great-niece, Riley Colby; great-nephew, Eric Frizzell; several cousins, all of Chattanooga; and sister-in-law, Martha Waldo, of Crossville, Tenn.Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Lane Funeral Home, Ashland Terrace with Richard Floyd and David Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery.Visit www.lanefh.com to share condolences.Visitation is 4-7 p.m. today and noon-1 p.m. Friday at Lane Funeral Home, Ashland Terrace 877-3524.