Jay Dee Adcox

Jay Dee Adcox, 60, of Magnolia, Arkansas died Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at his home in Magnolia, Arkansas. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Bonnie Jo Adcox; two children, son, Joseph Donald Adcox and wife Katherine of Magnolia; daughter, Sarah Dawn Adcox of Magnolia; sisters, Pam Adcox and Debbie Reves of Lee’s Summit, Missouri. He was a very proud grandfather of William Mason Telford, Luke Joseph Adcox, and Kate Elizabeth Adcox. Jay is also survived by his Uncle Bucky and Aunt Nancy Adcox of Marysville, Washington; great aunts, Emily and Edna Adcox of Snoqualmie, Washington; and many beloved cousins, including his two best boyhood buddies, Howie and Rich Adcox; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walter and Donna Baker of Sedalia, Missouri; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Theresa and Terry Fuller of Knob Noster, Missouri; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Roger and Vickie Baker of Bates City, Missouri; numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family. Please know he loved you all. Jay was born in Snoqualmie, Washington to the late Donald William and Jessie Louise Adcox on December 24, 1950. His family lived in Snoqualmie until Donald was transferred from the Seattle Boeing Aircraft Company to Whiteman Air Force Base near Knob Noster, Missouri in 1966. Jay graduated from Knob Noster High School (KNHS) in 1969. In 2010, KNHS Athletic Recognition Committee honored Jay as Distinguished Alumni for being a gifted student athlete, coach, and educator. Jay played for the Missouri University Tigers as a college freshman. He completed his BSE at Missouri Western State College (now MWSU) in St. Joseph, Missouri where he was named Who’s Who among students in American Universities and Colleges in 1975. He received his Master’s in Education at Northwest Missouri University (Marysville, MO). In 1994, Jay pursued his PhD. in Human Performance and Health Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, MS), ABD. Jay coached at Missouri Western as a Graduate Assistant, Assistant Head Football Coach, Defensive Coordinator and Track Coach from 1975-1980. 1981-1982 he was Assistant Head Football Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Morehead State University (Morehead, KY). Jay became Head Football Coach at Peru State College in Peru, NE from 1983-1985 before moving to Magnolia. From 1986-1993, Jay was assistant Head Football Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Southern Arkansas University. He served as NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative 1995-1996 and Assistant Athletic Director in 1997. Jay held the Dual Role as Chair of Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation (HKR) and Athletic Director 1997-2001. Jay enjoyed working with Dan Gregory adding the color for Football and Baseball games on KVMA/KVMZ for several years after he was no longer coaching. As a tenured faculty member he taught undergraduate and graduate classes. He served on the NCAA Division II Football Championship Committee for 3 years (2006-2010). Jay continued as SAU Athletic Director until his death. Jay was influential in planning and moving into the new Kathryn Brown HKR Complex and Curriculum Development. He was instrumental in the renovation and upgrading of all the SAU Athletic Facilities. Jay was a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Association, American Football Coaches Association, American Alliance of Health, Physical Education Recreation and Dance. For 36 years Jay taught, coached, mentored and shared his passion for football and education to hundreds of students and student athletes. Jay was never one to brag about his accomplishments but quick to tell others about one of his former student’s successes. He had the gift of remembering the name of nearly every athlete he ever coached and most of the students in his classes. Some of his Honors include; SAU Faculty Excellence Award 1998, MWSU Silver Anniversary Honoree 2000, MWSU Athletic Hall of Fame 2005 and 2010. He was also a Magnolia Rotary Member. When Jay was in college, he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and joined the Methodist Church to begin his Christian walk. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Magnolia where he had served on the Finance Committee and Administrative Board. Jay’s Family would like to express our heartfelt “Thanks� to all of the family and friends who have prayed without ceasing during his battle with pancreatic cancer. “Thank You’s� also to UAMS Rockefeller Cancer Institute and Staff, Magnolia Regional Medical Center and Staff, Dr. Alexander, Jr., and Staff, Miller’s Pharmacy, our FUMC Family, SAU Family and Life Touch Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 321 West Main Street, Magnolia, Arkansas 71753, Southern Arkansas University Adcox Family Endowment or SAU Foundation, PO Box 9174, Magnolia, Arkansas 71754, Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Drive, Spratt Hall 108, St. Joseph, Missouri, 64507, Life Touch Hospice, 2301 Champagnolle Road, El Dorado, Arkansas 71730, Caring Bridge at www.caringbridge.org, or the charity of donor’s choice. A Private Family Memorial Service to Celebrate Jay’s Life will be held in Missouri. A Guest Book and Pictorial Video Tribute will be available Friday, July 29th from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Lewis Funeral Home Chapel, 420 North Jackson Street, Magnolia, AR 71753. Online Guest Book Registry: www.lewisfuneralhome.biz