E. Cox

E. Byard Cox, 81, a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa died on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry, Illinois while visiting family.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, May 24, 2012 at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Chapel in Bettendorf. He will be laid to rest at Davenport Memorial Park where military honors will be conducted. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church of Bettendorf where he was a member.

He was born in Oakwood, Illinois on June 5, 1930, the son of John & Mary (Kidd) Cox. Byard graduated from Canton (Illinois) High School where he excelled in baseball and was active in the band. Following graduation, he signed a contract to play for the Chicago Cubs Farm System and also played baseball in the United States Army.

In 1951, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Kaiser in Canton and they enjoyed 61 wonderful years together.

Byard was a U.S. Army veteran and served in Korea. Upon his honorable discharge in 1954, he was awarded by Korean Service Ribbon with 3 bronze campaign Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Merit Unit Commendation.

His wife, children, beloved grandchildren & great-grandchildren were the love of his life and he loved sharing in their activities over the years. He also coached Little League Baseball in Bettendorf for 8 years.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Marilyn; his son, Michael (Barb) Cox of Prior Lake, Minnesota; his daughter, Diane (Kirby) Lindgren of Crystal Lake, Illinois; his grandchildren, Jennifer (Scott) Laurienzo, Dan Cox, Josiah (Deanna) Campbell, Jeremy Campbell and Kaylie, Emily & Mitchell Lindren; six great-grandchildren; his sister, Eva Williams of Bloomington, Illinois and his brother, Jack (Millicent) Cox of Canton.

Byard was preceded in death by his daughter, Denise Campbell in 2003; and his sisters, Carol Jacquette and Lorraine Hall.