LITTLE RIVER, SC :: Gene Cox, the former president of the Hooters Pro Cup Series, passed away early on Friday, February 13, after a courageous battle with cancer that lasted nearly 10 years.

Cox, 65, was born in Loris a son of Eunice Johnson Cox and the late Joe Burnis Cox, Jr.  He was a graduate of Loris High School and Horry-Georgetown Technical College.  Cox served in the Navy from 1967-1971 and was employed with Myrtle Beach Grand Prix for over 20 years, prior to taking the reins of the Hooters Pro Cup Series.

Under Cox, who was hand-picked by the late Robert H. Brooks, the former owner of Hooters of America, Inc., to transition the series from super late models to full-bodied stock cars, the Hooters Pro Cup Series thrived for nearly a decade. NASCAR drivers Brian Vickers, Joey Logano, James Buescher, Trevor Bayne and Brian Scott all spent time in the Hooters Pro Cup Series as did 2014 Sprint Cup Series Champion crew chief Rodney Childers. However, the Hooters Pro Cup Series wasn’t just a stepping-stone series for many, and Cox was proud of that fact. He often said he just wanted the Hooters Pro Cup Series to be “good for racing” and a “place where drivers could make a living.”

As a former racer himself, Cox fought tirelessly to keep costs down for teams, implementing race-ready qualifying procedures as well as RPM and testing restrictions. The plan worked as car counts soared in the mid-2000s. Though Cox stepped down from his role as president after the series was sold in 2008, he remained active in short-track racing until his passing, working with his son, Matt, on their late model stock car that competes at Myrtle Beach Speedway.

In addition to Matt, he is survived by his wife, Gail Blanton Cox of the home; son, Tony Cox, a former Myrtle Beach Speedway champion, and his wife Medissa of Myrtle Beach; one sister, Gayle Cox Steed and her husband Dickie of Statham, GA; one brother, Neil Cox, a former Myrtle Beach Speedway champion, and his wife Heather of Aynor; and three grandchildren, Anna Brice Cox, Cade Cox, and Cowen Cox all of Myrtle Beach; and an abundance of extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2015, from Goldfinch Funeral Home, Loris Chapel with Rev. Jim Evans officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to services.  Burial will follow in the Bellamy-Brooks Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-2794.

Please sign a guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com.