Esther (Therry) Holtman Cox, 102, passed away peacefully in the presence of her sons (Ted Cox and Tom Cox, both of Ormond Beach) on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. Esther was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Gustav and Louise Holtman, but spent her childhood and early adult life as one of eight siblings in West Lafayette, Indiana where she attended St. James Lutheran School and Jefferson High School. Following high school she attended Purdue University, graduating from there in 1938 with a BS in Home Economics. While at Purdue she was a Chi Omega sorority sister and participated in the Women's Athletic Association as an archer. At the beginning of World War II, she went to Washington, D.C. to help with the war effort and it was there that she met the love of her life, William R. (Bob) Cox, a career naval officer. They married and honeymooned in Daytona Beach. Their life's adventure took them to duty stations in Japan, Germany, Alaska, Rhode Island, Virginia and, ultimately, returning again to Washington, D.C. In 1974, they retired to Ormond Beach. She and Bob enjoyed the company of family and friends and their shared passion for family genealogy throughout their retirement. And even as she catalogued the past she embraced the present and future as her family grew. Esther was predeceased by her husband, Bob, in 2002 and grandson, Bill in 2017 but is survived by her sons Ted (Pat), Tom (Karen), grandchildren Gregory Cox of Ocala, and Breana Kone of Boca Raton; and her great-grandchildren: William, Zachary, Ameera, Jada, Nathaniel and Benjamin. In addition to family, Esther enjoyed gardening sewing and cooking. In the final years of her life, Esther could be seen bicycling through Central Park and along the Halifax River from Ames Park to the Granada Bridge on every Sunday afternoon as the passenger on a specially equipped wheelchair bike. She is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Holly Hill and has regularly attended Saturday evening services at Tomoka Christian Church in recent years. Esther Cox, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was a consummate lady whose grace and humor will be missed by family and friends alike. Her greatest legacy will not be her longevity but her enduring example of independence, courage and faith. Visitation is planned for Monday, October 16, 2017 from 4pm to 6pm at Lohman Funeral Home Ormond, 733 W. Granada Blvd., in Ormond Beach; a Memorial Service is scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, 2017 from 4pm to 6pm at Lohman's Funeral Home with Reverend Russell Anderson officiating; and internment will take place at Bushnell National Cemetery on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Esther's name to: Trinity Lutheran Church, 1205 Ridgewood Avenue, Holly Hill FL 32117.

Arrangements entrusted to Lohman Funeral Home Ormond. Condolences and memories are welcome to be shared with Esther's family via this online guestbook.