John Raymond Cox Sr., 72, lost a six-year battle with cancer on April 4, 2023. John was born Sept. 7, 1950, at Vincent Pallotti Hospital Morgantown, to the late James Thomas and Grace Beryl Cox.
John was an airman in Texas when he met and married his wife and loving lifetime partner of 52 years, Martha Patricia Flores Cox. The marriage united two strong families and produced two loyal sons, Lt. Col. John R. Cox Jr., Ret (Col. Yira Muse, Ret) and James T. Cox; grandchildren, Drew Thomas Cox, Liliana Grace Cox and Eoin Nicolas Cox; step-granddaughter, Hanna Doughty. He is also survived by mother-in-law, Martha Flores; brothers, James (Beverly), Australia, Robert (Kathy), Point Marion, Pa., Timothy (Darla), Morgantown; and nieces and nephews, Rebecca (Becky) Urani, Corie Greenwood, David Cox, Andrew James (AJ) Cox and Lisa Weese.
In addition to his parents, his brother, William Thomas Cox, also preceded John in death.
John’s friends referred to him as a legend in his time. He went from U.S. Air Force airman (printing specialist) to coal miner (wireman), private electrician and, finally, to teaching electrical technology at Preston High School and the U.S. Corps of Engineers.
As a teacher, he could be a stern but loving taskmaster, and the results underscored his effectiveness as one year his PHS classes produced more journeyman electricians than the rest of the state combined. Teaching was not a job but his passion, one that also moved him to begin a successful program. He worked endlessly to recruit sponsors in the field to donate materials to enhance his Preston High electrical program. Many of his students were later recruited and are still working for these companies.
Always quick to the point of an issue with a sure sense of justice, John loved people and never hesitated to help those with particular needs, especially in defending miners (Local 1058, UMWA) and teachers (through the AFT) in administrative/arbitration hearings and donating his time and electrical skills so students could get extra experience in their field.
John’s interests were many and varied: gardening, canning, carpentry, coaching youth leagues, golfing, watching sports and riding in his convertible.
John’s last act as an educator was donating his body to the WVU School of Medicine Human Gift Registry.
John’s family is especially thankful to the WVU Cancer Institute, the Amedisys Hospice and his friend, Paul Cappas for their compassionate care.
His family wishes to invite friends and family to a memorial celebration of John’s life at the Point Marion Firehall, 1 Cheat St.; Point Marion, Pa., at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 5.
