Funeral services for James Columbus Cox, 80, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 26, 2020 at First Baptist Church, 400 Wst Main St., in Purcell. Interment will be at 2 p.m. at the Dale Cemetery in Dale. Masks and/or social distancing are encouraged. The service will be livestreamed on the website, www.wilsonlittle.com and the Facebook page, Wilson Little. Services will be under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.
He passed away in Oklahoma City on December 19, 2020.
Mr. Cox was born in Oklahoma City on December 12, 1940 to Jim and Joy Cox. Growing up in Oklahoma City, he graduated from Northeast High School in 1959.
After a trial run at college, he joined the US Navy to see the world. His ship went on high alert when JFK was assassinated. After an honorable discharge, he came back to Oklahoma to Midwest City where for a while he drove an ambulance, buses, and served as a police officer. Interestingly enough, with all that driving experience, he still couldn’t back a trailer.
He found himself in Chicago working for the Rock Island Railroad as a railroad detective, where in 1966 he met a young lady from the computer department. He proposed two months later and was married on November 12, 1966 to the love of his life, Delores (Dolly) Mary Ellena Cox. They moved to Oklahoma City in 1971 with one year old son, James Theodore (Ted). Son Jon Edward was born in 1973.
In 1977, after learning college was easier when you studied, he finished his bachelor’s degree with a 4.0 GPA in his second attempt at classes. With the Rock Island closing in 1979, he started OCU law school in the fall of 1980. Passing the bar exam in 1983, he practiced law until his death.
He coached little league baseball for many years, coaching both of his sons. He coached for an additional 10 years without having either of his boys on the team. He also coached the American Legion high school majors’ team. He coached several championship teams. Most of his players played high school ball, many played college ball, and a small handful played in the major leagues.
He loved traveling with his wife. They sailed on multiple cruises, from Alaska to the Panama Canal to Scandinavia and to the Mediterranean Sea. Anyone that knew him knew that he loved golf. He was accused of continuing to practice law just to support his golf habit. After his golf clubs were stolen out of the garage, they were moved to his bedroom where they remain to this day if they are not in his vehicle.
He loved watching his grandchildren play sports and after they finished playing football, he became one of the biggest Paoli Pugs’ fans, literally driving to all four corners of Oklahoma to watch them play.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Jerald Cox and one nephew.
He is survived by his wife, Dolly of the home; son, Ted Cox and wife, Lori, of Purcell; son, Jon Cox and wife, Sherra, of Norman; brother, Joe Cox and wife, Connie, of Oklahoma City; grandchildren, Brady Cox, Cheyenne Fulks (Adopted), Cody Cox, Gavin Edington and wife, Jessica, James Cox, Joey Cox, Landon Edington, Lauren Arrasmith, and Nadia Cox. He is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-laws, many nieces and nephews, and some golfing buddies.
Online condolences may be made at wilsonlittle.com.
