Feb. 17: Obituaries

JAMES D. BUNTON, 74, passed away on February 13, 2015. Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home (2/17/15)

MELVIN RUSSELL COX, JR., 67, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away Thursday, February 12, 2015 at the Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach. Melvin was born in Joplin, Missouri to the late Melvin and Nadiene Cox. He spent his early years in California and Kansas before joining the US Marine Corps while still in high school, which he completed while in the service. He served two tours in Vietnam from October 6, 1964- January 30, 1969. During his second tour he was severely wounded and thus awarded a Purple Heart. He was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, The Vietnam Campaign Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal and The Presidential Unit Citation. After his time in the service, Melvin became the owner and operator of a Mobil Home Park from which he eventually retired. He and his wife Janet had been seasonal residents of Vero Beach for many years, sharing time at their home in Washington, Illinois, before settling in Vero Beach just months ago.
He was of the Baptist faith, a member of the American Legion and Moose Lodge. Melvin had enjoyed hunting pheasant and quail as well as time fishing and playing BINGO with his wife Janet. Together they travelled throughout North and Central America. Survivors include his wife of nearly 30 years, Janet K. Cox; stepson Robert Friend of Pekin, Illinois; brother Merl (Brenda) Cox of Gainesville, Missort; niece Kayla Cox of Blairstown; and nephew Jason Cox of Blairstown, Missouri No services are planned at this time. Strunk Funeral Home (2/17/15)

WAYNE FOX, 84, of Sebastian, FL, passed away on February 12, 2015. Seawinds Funeral Home (2/17/15)

JOHN L GRAY, 74, passed away Friday, February 13, 2015 at Rosewood Manor in Vero Beach. John was born in Trenton, Georgia to the late William Harmon and Opha Irene (nee Gaddis) Gray and moved to Vero Beach in 1956 from Trenton, Georgia. John had worked at Piper Aircraft before working as a pipefitter at the Hutchinson Island Power Plant. He was a proud member of Local Union 630 and a member of First United Methodist Church in Vero Beach.

Survivors include wife of 50 years Molly Young Gray of Vero Beach, son Michael (Karen) Gray of Vero Beach; daughter Gretchen M. (Robert) Nelson of Durham, North Carolina; sisters Vera Morris of Vero Beach and Martha (Elton) Mitchell of Sand Mountain, Georgia; grandchildren Taylor, Kennedy, Cooper, Cameron and Robby; and his beloved dog Scooter.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimers/Parkinsons Association, 2300 5th Avenue Suite 150, Vero Beach, FL 32960. The family will receive friends 1-2 PM Friday, February 20, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church of Vero Beach with a Life Celebration Service beginning at 2 PM at the Church. A reception will follow in Wesley Hall at the church. Strunk Funeral Home (2/17/15)

TERRY LEE OWENS, 54, died February 14, 2015 at his residence in Sebastian. He was born in Dayton, Ohio and lived in Sebastian since 2000 coming from Miami, Florida.

Survivors include sisters, Deborah Owens of Vero Beach, Florida, Karen Mayrand (Chris) of Dearborn Heights, Michigan and Cheryl Noe (Frank) of Delta, Ohio; brothers, Jeffery E. Owens (Sherrie) of Vero Beach, Florida and John Owens (Judy) of Houston, Texas and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Michael Owens and parents Kenneth and Sharon L. Owens. Strunk Funeral Home (2/17/15)

BERT WADE, 77, died on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, FL. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 at 4:00pm at Grace Lutheran Church 1150 41st Ave, Vero Beach with Pastor Luttman, officiating. Burial will be in the Church Garden. Bert Wade was born on August 18, 1937 in Chillicothe, Ohio, son of William and Daisy (Bennett) Wade. He served his country in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam.. From there he worked for Swift & company, in Green Bay, WI, a security company in Waukesha, WI, Brownberry Ovens as a baker and at Watertown Metals. On September 19, 1975, Bert married Joleen Pilgrim in Oconomowoc, WI. He loved being with is family. Survivors include his wife, Joleen, his children, Carrie Wade and Shannon Lanning of Vero Beach, three grandchildren, Graclyn, Tyson and Aiden. He is preceded in death by his mother, Daisy, two brothers, Fred and Bill, and two sisters, Lorraine Watts and Shirley Patterson. Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home (2/17/15)