Ellis G. Cox

Ellis Cox Obituary

COX, Ellis G.

At the age of 89, Ellis left us suddenly and returned to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on February 9, 2011, due to an acute lung inflammation. He was born in Joy Coy, CO, July 4, 1921, the second of four boys born to parents Icie Marie (Hoover) and Fred L. Cox. The family left the dustbowl of Colorado during the depression, moving to
the lush paradise of Sandpoint, ID. There, Ellis graduated from High School, met and married the love of his life, Velma Lenora Bailey. They married July 14, 1940, and just last year celebrated 70 years of love and commitment, before Velma's death November 19, 2010. A veteran of World War II, Ellis served as an aircraft mechanic with the Navy. In 1951, he graduated from Northwest Nazarene College, and studied further at Walla Walla College and Central Washington College, Ellensburg. Ellis answered the Lord's call into pastoral ministry with Rufus, OR as his first church in 1943. He was formally ordained into the Ministry of the Church of the Nazarene in 1953. Rev. Ellis Cox pastored until 1979, in Washington Churches: Deer Park, Ewan, Walla Walla Aldersgate, Yakima West Valley and Spokane Bethel. His last years of service to the denomination were in Ohio and Kansas City representing the Nazarene Headquarters Department of Stewardship where he entered retirement in 1986. After retirement, a lifelong learner and hard worker, Ellis still loved to read, he designed and built their retirement home, built a large home in Alaska for friends, fished, did craft woodworking, traveled and did volunteer service trips for missions. The last five years though he dedicated to his wife as the Best Care Giver Ever! As surviving family, we are so proud of the person he was and witness to his humble greatness: daughters, Lavona Smith (Richard) of Kenai, AK, and Joyce Chitwood (Monte) of Mead, WA; six grandsons and one granddaughter, Nathan Smith (Debbie), Joel Smith (Nikki) and Daniel Smith, all of Kenai, AK, Josh Smith (Melissa) of Monte Vista, CO, Lane Chitwood (Hilary) of Boise, ID, Matthew Chitwood of Washington DC, Vicki Shingleton (Lamont) of Spirit Lake, ID; nine great grandchildren, Josh, Samantha, Jacob, Samuel, Julia, Audrey, Natalie, William and Marie: and three great great grandchildren, J.J., Mariah and Kendra. He was indeed God's gift to grateful family and friends. His sweet, gentle spirit, words of wisdom and "spunk" always made us smile. The sorrow his death brings is swallowed up in victory by his entry into the presence of his loving Heavenly Father and Lord, Jesus Christ. We will see dad soon and enjoy the homecoming he has already received from: wife, Velma Lenora Cox; daughter, Anita; son, Gary and wife Linda and their daughter Vonnie; parents, Fred and Icie Cox; and brothers, Joe, Ray and Vernon Cox.Visitation Tuesday, February, 15, 2011, from 2:00-"8:00 P.M. at Ball & Dodd Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at Bethel Church of the Nazarene, 1111 S. Thor St. Spokane, WA. Interment Fairmount Memorial Park. Memorial contributions can be made to Northwest Nazarene University to the Ellis and Velma Cox Scholarship Fund, 623 S. University Blvd, Nampa, ID 83686.

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Published by Spokesman-Review from Feb. 13 to Feb. 14, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Ellis Cox

9 Entries

Rebecca Morrell Utley

April 21, 2011

I was sorry to hear of your father's passing (and your mother). Your parents were godly, special people and dear friends of my parents and our entire family. I appreciate the longstanding friendship our parents had; I know both Ellis and Velma were very dear to Mom and Dad. My brother, sister and I have our memories of them also as they were our god parents. I especially remember that Pastor Cox baptized me in Priest Lake.

I am grateful for their legacy and that we will meet then again in Heaven.

Dennis Franklin

February 18, 2011

We at Ewan join in with many in saying "Thank you" for the years and love shared with our community and church membership. Sue and I slipped out prior to meeting everyone due to the long line but wish to say God bless. Beautiful service and great song by Matt! The pictures were very informative. Our prayers and love, Pastor Dennis, Ewan.

Roxanne Zimmerer-Camp

February 16, 2011

I have clear memories of your folks at the Deer Park Church: I was young and divided my time between the Methodists and the Nazarene's! My sister Clara babysat you kids; you won't remember, it was too long ago. Add to that Pinelow and all the camp times we shared. Anita was in my cabin and taught me "Pig Latin"!
I treasure my memories of your beloved parents-godly people who left a legacy for all time. Today's service for your father was a wonderful way to honor him. We shall meet again in Glory.

February 16, 2011

The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Ellis G. Cox for your loss, to honor his service to our country and our patriotic hero.

Linda Anne House, Founding Member

Jody Cael

February 15, 2011

I wish I'd had the opportunity to meet Ellis sooner, know him much longer. From meeting his friends and family I know he was a wonderful father, grandfather, and pastor. I saw him as a faithful and tender husband, caregiver, and enjoyed him as a friend, looking forward to his wit and wisdom, learning much about faith and love from his example.
I was sad but not surprised when he followed Velma so closely into the presence of his precious Lord. After all, they were so close, here. Together they worked hard, planned lovingly and carefully, prayed and worshiped their glorious Maker and Savior, created and raised a wonderful family, and made so many friends. Together they spent a lifetimne serving others, and most of all, serving their God.
Together they had stored up many treasures in Heaven, where already so many of their beloved rested, safe and secure.
Together they worked and looked forward to their own "happily ever after", in which they had eternity to praise, and bless, and glorify, and cherish, and thank, their dear Jesus.
Happily ever after. Together.

Bill Brown

February 14, 2011

Dear Lavona and Joyce
I am so sorry to hear about pastor Cox and Velma. Carol Just called and told me the sad news.The friend ship family has extended to our our family over the years and while we were both in WallaWalla will never leave me. I spent Easter week end a few years ago with Ellis and Velma and the hospitality was so wonder full your mother had the always ready pot of soup on the stove and I was right at home. much love and will miss them.
Bill Brown

karen burnett

February 13, 2011

I simply remember the sweet gracious spirit of Ellis Cox, the wry smile, and the periodic twinkle in his eye. There was a calm that permeated the room and a sense of rest in the midst of the storms. He was so proud of his family and he treasured the moments shared with each of them. His and Velma's legacy of seeking God's will and trusting in His protection and care have born much fruit in the generations, which have followed. Praise be to God.

Nancy Wilson

February 13, 2011

I so appreciated Pastor Cox, his dedication and love for his flock. It was an honor to know him (and Velma). I look forward to seeing them both again.

Normalu Cooper

February 13, 2011

When a loved one leaves us on that one journey we cannot share, it seems a good time to take stock, to reflect on the new experiences we will miss, the many things we will remember, and cherish, and hold for the future. There is so much about Ellis to miss. Why, then, does my heart smile?

I so looked forward to his gentle wisdom and his gentle humor; a smile, a hug, his quiet faith in his awesome, all-powerful and all-loving God.

He and Velma were two pieces that made a whole, and God was the Power and the Presence that kept them together, and strong, and such a delight to us all. Loving and faithful husband, father, grandfather, pastor, caregiver, friend, he was all of these. He was born, raised and lived a lifetime in a world and a century that truly tried men's souls, and tested both courage and faith. He gave so much, shared so much, taught us so much. We have so much to miss! Why, then, is my heart smiling?

I guess because now when I close my eyes I can rest in the sure and certain hope that somewhere, now, Velma, and angels, and a Heavenly host of others are praising God. And smiling. And Ellis? Ellis is smiling, too.

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