January 26, 1970 – October 12, 2019
Arlie Chandler “Punkie” Cox, Jr., 49, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Sheridan on Saturday afternoon, October 12, 2019. Born in Noblesville on January 26, 1970, he was the son of Arlie Chandler and Freida Lynn (Johnson) Cox.
Arlie was a 1988 graduate of Sheridan High School and attended Indiana State University in Terre Haute. For 10 years, he was a quality control inspector with Biddle Precision Components in Sheridan. He would later hire on with Fabcon in Westfield, doing quality control inspections with the company for the next five years.
Arlie loved his life and his family, and most of all he loved to have fun. Baseball incorporated all three of those loves. From his childhood days playing in the Sheridan Rec. Little League program through his adult years playing in whatever baseball and softball league he could join, Arlie couldn’t get enough. When he wasn’t playing his enthusiasm shifted to coaching. Though he worked with many little league teams over the years, the pride of his coaching career were the years he coached his daughters’ softball teams. Arlie’s favorite sports team was the Dodgers. If the Dodgers weren’t playing that day, then his loyalty switched to whichever team had a chance of taking down the Big Red Machine. The Cincinnati Reds didn’t garner all of Arlie’s ill wishes; he was a vocal supporter of anyone, repeat, anyone who was playing the Dallas Cowboys. For Arlie, there was a certain pride he felt when either team was on the losing side of a game. He was an avid collector of baseball cards, and was ecstatic anytime he would happen across his favorite player of all time, Nolan Ryan.
Arlie had a deep appreciation for music and loved listening to The Beatles. He was a whiz with computers, always tinkering around, building and fixing them. He also loved going fishing anytime he got the chance, and if his brother-in-law Gene and the nephews got to come along, even better. There was one other activity that he was known for: Arlie, Jr., much like Arlie, Sr., loved to tease and torment his friends and family. For him, it was his way of saying, “I love you guys,” and for those on the receiving end, it will be a source of many cherished memories. “Hey, do you remember the time when Arlie did …?”
Arlie is survived by his parents, Arlie and Freida Cox, Sheridan; his wife, Carrie (Heffelmire) Cox; his three daughters; Ashley Jump, Portland, Ind., Hannah Jackson of Texas, and Hallie Cox, Arcadia; two grandchildren, Sophia Jump and Adalie Jump, both of Portland, Ind.; two sisters, Rosanna Brock (Brian), Kokomo, and Tonya Annamae Cole (Gene), Thorntown; one brother, Larry Cox (Darla), Columbus, Ind.; and by several nieces and nephews, who always loved playing cards and spending as much time as they could with their Uncle Punkie. Arlie is also survived by his four-legged BFFs, Ziva and Pete.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Zoal and Mary Cox; and his maternal grandparents, William H. and Annamae Johnson.
A Celebration of Arlie’s Life will take place at 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2019, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from 2 p.m. until the time of service. Arlie’s brother-in-law, Eric Heffelmire, will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to Kercheval Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.
Arrangements
Calling: 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 20
Service: 5 p.m., Oct. 20
Location: Kercheval Funeral Home
Condolences: kerchevaulfuneralhome.com