Fred W. Cox – Monticello, Minn., formerly of Monongahela

Fred W. Cox, 80, of Monticello, Minn., passed away at his residence Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. Fred William Cox was born Dec. 11, 1938, in Monongahela, to parents Walter and Rose Cox. He was the youngest of three children, with Tom and Ann his siblings. Sports were a major part of his life growing up. His Little League baseball team made it to Williamsport to play in the Little League World Series, and two years later his Pony League team played in the Pony World Series. His high school soccer team had three consecutive winning seasons. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and played there as a running back and kicker. While at Pitt, he was an All-American football player. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1962 as a running back, but was traded to Minnesota before the season started. He was released after training camp, but asked to return in 1963 where he made the Vikings team. He played for 15 years (1963-1977), including participation in four Super Bowls and retired as the all-time leading scorer for the Vikings with 1,365 points. In 1971, he invented the Nerf football. While playing for the Vikings, he attended Northwestern Chiropractic College and received his degree. He opened his chiropractic office in Buffalo, Minn., in 1975. Soon after, he hired Dan Marty as his partner, who helped him run the office while he finished his last three years playing with the Vikings. Dan continued as his partner until 1988. In 1988, Fred moved home to Monongahela, where he opened a new chiropractic clinic with his daughter, Susan. Three years later he moved back to Monticello, Minn., where he practiced chiropractic part-time before eventually retiring. For the past 20 years, he and his wife, Bonnie, have wintered in Arizona. He was instrumental in initiating the chapel services for the Vikings and helped launch Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Minnesota, where he was very involved. Fred did a lot of speaking engagements and played in many celebrity golf tournaments, as he loved to golf. Family, church and community were important to him. Fred’s main passion was flying. He received his pilot’s license in 1967 and owned numerous planes over the years. Fred also loved to hunt. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Rose Cox; brother, Tom Cox; and first wife, Elayne Darrall. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; sister, Ann Appolonia; sister-in-law, Esther Cox; children, Darryl (Sandy) Cox, Susan (Tye) Biasco, Fred Cox, Kim Ok-soon (Jason Berger); grandchildren, Melisa Cox, Corey Cox, Seth Biasco, Noah Biasco, Levi Biasco, Caleb Biasco, Kaden Cox, Braeden Cox, Elaina Cox, Sara Bauer, Peter Bauer, Kendra (Mitch) Arnold, Alec Bauer, Ava Berger, Sunni Berger and Jackson Berger; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation was held on Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Buffalo Evengelical Covenant Church of Buffalo. The funeral was Monday, Nov. 25. Officiating was Pastor Max Frazier. Casket bearers were Fred’s grandsons, Corey Cox, Seth Biasco, Noah Biasco, Levi Biasco, Caleb Biasco, Kaden Cox, Braeden Cox, Peter Bauer and Alec Bauer. Interment at the Swedish Mission Cemetery of Buffalo. Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo.