James R. 'JR' Cox Sr.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

James R. "JR" Cox Sr, 84, Brazil, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011 at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.

A lifelong resident of Brazil, he was the son of Roy Jefferson and Carrie Riley Cox and stepson of Ray Cox Sr.

Jim, as he was known, had a lifelong love and respect for his country and his flag. Having served in the Navy in World War II, he earned the Victory Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal and others. His ship was the USS Dayton and one of his greatest pleasures was reuniting with his military brethren at the ship's conventions.

He was a lifelong member of American Legion Post No. 2 and VFW No. 1127; member of the F.O.E.; Scottish Rite of the Wabash Valley and Kerman Grotto. For as many years as his health permitted, Jim was active in the Color Guard and donated many hours in the service of these organizations. Jim was interested in many sports in his life. He was a Golden Glove Champion, he loved and attended baseball games in younger days and was an avid bowler. He loved golf and one his greatest pleasures was having time to spend with his sons and friends on the course. His deepest and most abiding love was for his family. A member of the Greatest Generation, he will be honored.

He is survived by his wife Mayme "Rose" Gerber Johnson-Cox; children Sandra Huffman (Brad), Deborah Emrick (Mark), James Ray Cox Jr., (Margaret), Jane Ann Cox, Joseph Cox (Angie), Richard Durbin, Ernest Durbin (Judy), Bobbi Tempe, Tammy Young (James), Mike Johnson (Fredna), Sheila TerMeer and Pam Whitehead (Ron); sisters Helen Cox Withers and Margaret Cox Miller; 31 grandchildren; and 56 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Margaret Harrison Cox; his second wife Alice Joan Mustard Cox; siblings Joseph, Paul, Albert and Ray Cox Jr.; stepsons Stephen and Dale Durbin; and great-grandchildren, Justin Wilson and ShyAnn Atkinson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15 at French Funeral Home with Revs. Terry Jeffers and Bob Kumpf officiating. Burial will follow at Clearview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday. Military walk-through will be at 6:30 p.m. followed by Masonic Services at 7 p.m.

Donations may be made in his honor to the American Legion Post No. 2 or charity of choice. Light a candle in his memory at www.frenchfuneralhome.com.