"Jesse Bruce Cox, 46, died Tuesday, Jan. 26, 1999, at his home after a brief illness.
"He grew up in the Alton area then lived in California for nearly 20 years. He was a talented musician, animal lover, advocate for the deaf, interior decorator and a friend to all who knew him.
"His passing is mourned, but his life is celebrated by his family: his parents, Tom and Betty Cox of Alton; brothers and sisters, Jeff and Karen Cox of San Jose, Calif., Michael and Lee Cox of Godfrey, Lisa and Tim Brown of Atlanta, Kevin and Krista Cox of Bloomington, Ill., and Joe and Tina Cox of Eureka, Mo. He was the beloved uncle of nine nieces and nephews: Sara Cox of Minneapolis, Josh Cox of Bloomington, Ill., Karen, Katy and Jake Brown of Atlanta, Brian Cox of Rockford, Conner Cox of Bloomington, Ill. and Taylor and Christian Cox of Eureka.
"A private memorial service for the family will be arranged by Elias-Smith Funeral Home of Alton after cremation.
"At the family's request, memorials may be made to Saint Anthony's Hospice, Alton Little Theater or the Alton Area Animal Aid Association."
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In the Tatler, Bruce is listed as Bruce Allan Cox. In his obituary and in a Telegraph article of March 27, 1997, he is called Jesse Bruce Cox. I am guessing that that was his stage name.
The article, "Piano Man: Ralph's Player Right at Home," by Mary Ann Mazenko, Telegraph staff writer, said that he had played the piano all around the world and was back at home in Alton playing at Ralph's Restaurant on Third St. in Alton.
"He polished his technique at a host of watering holes in Palm Springs and on the cruise ship Royal Odyssey which traveled the Caribbean and to Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Sicily and the former Yugoslavia.
"During the day, Cox serves as coordinator for Gateways Homes in the Westport, Mo., area, helping deaf people find independent living situations.
"Cox returned to the River Bend last fall because Southern California's economy was bottoming out and Alton's was on the upswing."
He studied drama for one year at Illinois Wesleyan in Normal, and then went to California for 22 years.
According to the article, Ralph's was a classy kind of bar and Bruce's music fit right in. He liked to play "easy listening piano...songs by Cole Porter and George Gershwin, and some selections from later eras, often singing along with his music."
Bruce you and I grew up together, loved together and above all, were friends of the closest kind. You were the most talented, caring, loving man I have ever known. Keep playing that piano! Love you always---Marsha
Bruce and I were neighbors growing up. He would come over and we would play my mom's piano. Years later he told me that those times started his love for the piano. Very touching to me, for who knows what childhood experiences will touch the rest of your life. I saw Bruce (who was then Jesse) play at Ralph's in downtown Alton. He was excellent! Jack and I stayed all night listening to him play and remminissing at breaks. Good memories. I read Marsha's memories and can still remember the two of them walking (he with his trombone, her with her flute) together around McKinley and at West Junior. Amazingly clear memories.
I miss you Jesse, your talent in acting and as a musician. I know that you are playing piano in the heavens for all to hear!
Ruth E Mitchell (Bell)
The Telegraph obituary for Bruce says:"Jesse Bruce Cox, 46, died Tuesday, Jan. 26, 1999, at his home after a brief illness.
"He grew up in the Alton area then lived in California for nearly 20 years. He was a talented musician, animal lover, advocate for the deaf, interior decorator and a friend to all who knew him.
"His passing is mourned, but his life is celebrated by his family: his parents, Tom and Betty Cox of Alton; brothers and sisters, Jeff and Karen Cox of San Jose, Calif., Michael and Lee Cox of Godfrey, Lisa and Tim Brown of Atlanta, Kevin and Krista Cox of Bloomington, Ill., and Joe and Tina Cox of Eureka, Mo. He was the beloved uncle of nine nieces and nephews: Sara Cox of Minneapolis, Josh Cox of Bloomington, Ill., Karen, Katy and Jake Brown of Atlanta, Brian Cox of Rockford, Conner Cox of Bloomington, Ill. and Taylor and Christian Cox of Eureka.
"A private memorial service for the family will be arranged by Elias-Smith Funeral Home of Alton after cremation.
"At the family's request, memorials may be made to Saint Anthony's Hospice, Alton Little Theater or the Alton Area Animal Aid Association."
***********************
In the Tatler, Bruce is listed as Bruce Allan Cox. In his obituary and in a Telegraph article of March 27, 1997, he is called Jesse Bruce Cox. I am guessing that that was his stage name.
The article, "Piano Man: Ralph's Player Right at Home," by Mary Ann Mazenko, Telegraph staff writer, said that he had played the piano all around the world and was back at home in Alton playing at Ralph's Restaurant on Third St. in Alton.
"He polished his technique at a host of watering holes in Palm Springs and on the cruise ship Royal Odyssey which traveled the Caribbean and to Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Sicily and the former Yugoslavia.
"During the day, Cox serves as coordinator for Gateways Homes in the Westport, Mo., area, helping deaf people find independent living situations.
"Cox returned to the River Bend last fall because Southern California's economy was bottoming out and Alton's was on the upswing."
He studied drama for one year at Illinois Wesleyan in Normal, and then went to California for 22 years.
According to the article, Ralph's was a classy kind of bar and Bruce's music fit right in. He liked to play "easy listening piano...songs by Cole Porter and George Gershwin, and some selections from later eras, often singing along with his music."
Milton C Godwin
To Bruce Cox, the Star of the Show! Milt GodwinMarsha J Sands (Harmon)
Bruce you and I grew up together, loved together and above all, were friends of the closest kind. You were the most talented, caring, loving man I have ever known. Keep playing that piano! Love you always---Marsha
Sandra L Lagemann (Gottlob)
Bruce and I were neighbors growing up. He would come over and we would play my mom's piano. Years later he told me that those times started his love for the piano. Very touching to me, for who knows what childhood experiences will touch the rest of your life. I saw Bruce (who was then Jesse) play at Ralph's in downtown Alton. He was excellent! Jack and I stayed all night listening to him play and remminissing at breaks. Good memories. I read Marsha's memories and can still remember the two of them walking (he with his trombone, her with her flute) together around McKinley and at West Junior. Amazingly clear memories.
I miss you Jesse, your talent in acting and as a musician. I know that you are playing piano in the heavens for all to hear!