James Benjamin Cox, Jr.

May 31, 1926 - March 6, 2018

James B. Cox, Jr.

Trent, TX

James ("Jim") Benjamin Cox, Jr., age 91, passed away on March 6, 2018 in Abilene, Texas. He was the son of James B. Cox and Rose Lackey Cox born on May 31, 1926 west of Tuscola, Texas. He was a member of the Trent Church of Christ. Following graduation from high school at Tuscola, he went to work for the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Later he entered the Navy, serving on the Admiral's staff Western Sea Front Command. After the War, in 1947, he resumed his career with the Santa Fe in Sweetwater, Texas, retiring 1986. On June 17, 1949 at Fisk, Texas, he married Marion Elizabeth Terry, the love of his life for the last 68 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Dr. Roberta Cox Edwards and brother-in-law Frank Edwards of Brigham City, Utah, niece Amelia Edwards, and nephews, James Level Edwards and Jerry Mac Edwards, Curtis Benjamin Crites. He is survived by his wife and children, Chris Cox of Trent, and Terry and Lou Ann Cox of Amarillo, grandchildren, John Cox of Amarillo, Sarah and husband David Nguyen, and great granddaughter Wendy Nguyen of Amarillo. Nephew, Tommy and Connie Edwards of Brigham City, Utah, Nephew, Mike and Anne Martin of Hampton, Arkansas, Niece, Pam and Russ Crites of Garland, Texas and numerous great nieces and nephews and their children in Texas and Utah. He is also survived by his first cousins, Roy Fuller and Frank Fuller of the metroplex and David Fuller of San Antonio, and their families. After retiring from the railroad in 1986, he and his wife began his second career farming and ranching near Trent, Texas. He faithfully served the Lord at 4th and Elm St. Church of Christ, Sweetwater, Texas as a deacon, elder and teacher, Merkel Church of Christ as a deacon, and finally Church of Christ at Trent, as an example and teacher. He loved the Lord and prayed daily for all of his family and friends. He loved to study the Bible, encourage others to persevere through the tribulations of life, sing, and play his harmonica. His humor was extraordinary, telling more jokes than most of us will ever be able to remember. He asked his family to "thank everyone for all they have done". He has requested "any abled bodied man present to serve as a pallbearer". A family visitation with be at the McCoy Funeral Home on Friday evening between the hours of 5 to 7 P.M. Graveside services, with Russ Crites officiating, will be 1:00 P.M. Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Brown Ranch Cemetery in the Pavilion with Military Honors performed by the United States Navy, located on county road 354 one mile east of the intersection of FM 1026 and county road 354 near Fisk, Texas in Coleman County. Condolences may be made online at www.mccoyfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Notre Maison, children's home, through Haiti Mission at https://haitimission.ca. This work is supported by Trent Church of Christ.

Published in Abilene Reporter-News on Mar. 9, 2018