James Edward Cox Jr.

JAMES EDWARD COX JR.

ROCKINGHAM – James Edward Cox Jr., 72, of Rockingham died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, at Hospice Haven, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born May 10, 1946, in Hamlet, a son of the late James Edward Cox Sr. and Louise Dunn.

In 1964, he graduated with his beloved classmates from Hamlet High School and then attended Kings College in Charlotte, where he met his loving wife, Katherine Pittman Cox. Following their wedding, the couple began their adventure and the first of many moves, beginning in Las Vegas, where he was an airman in the Air Force. He went on to serve his country in Utapao, Thailand, during the Vietnam War.

Mr. Cox began his career in customer service with Karastan Fine Carpets and Rugs in Eden. His love of clothing, gift of gab and ability to sell ice to an Eskimo allowed him to quickly become a sales representative. Karastan brought many adventures and lifelong friends to Jim and Kathy through their many moves across the country.

However, his love of Hamlet eventually brought them home, where he took over Cox Insurance Agency in Rockingham and started MAT Trucking in Cheraw, South Carolina. He served as the American Legion baseball athletic director, and was a member of the Literary Club, the Niteliters and Sand Drifters. He loved cars, class reunions, SOS, annual golf trips to Santee Cooper and March Madness at the beach, the Gamecocks and Raider Football — not necessarily in that order. His quick wit and sense of humor will be missed by many.

He is preceded in death by Katherine Pittman Cox, his wife of 53 years.

He is survived by his daughter, Cassie Cox DeLany (Jim Henry) of Rockingham; sister Harriette Ann Cox of Mocksville; a brother, Ansel Cox of Valdosta, Georgia; and a sister, Beverly Cox Larrabee of Concord. He also is survived by and his grandsons, Jim and Joe DeLany, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of the life of "Jim" will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, at First Presbyterian Church, Rockingham, with the Rev. Dwight Williams officiating. Jim wanted it known that he lived a full, fun-filled, adventurous life by not always following doctors' orders and throwing a great party with dear friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Cox's memory to the Shoe Foundation of First Presbyterian Church, Rockingham.

Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Cox family.