James E. Cox

1931 - 2012

(April 7, 1931 - December 14, 2012)
James E. "Jim" Cox, 81, of Clovis, NM died Friday, December 14, 2012, at University Medical Center in Lubbock, TX. Services will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, December 19, 2012, at 16th and Pile Church of Christ with Gary Bodine of Wellington, KS officiating. Burial will follow at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers include David Beaver, Christopher Gonzales, Shannon Thrower, Robert Tyler, Ronnie Montague, and Buddy Prince.
Jim was born April 7, 1931, to Floyd Ramsey and Sue Elena (Gay) Cox in Littlefield, TX. He graduated from Portales High School in 1949. Jim served in the US Army active duty from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War and in the Army Reserve until 1959. He married JoAnn McGinnis October 14, 1953, in Portales, NM and they came to Clovis April of 1959. He was a member of the 16th and Pile Church of Christ in Clovis, NM since 1959 and served as a Deacon until the time of passing. During this time he was a Sunday School Teacher, bus driver, and helped with the Key to the Kingdom mission. Jim was also involved with the church youth groups and went to many missions to spread God's word including Mexico, Ohio, and Reserve, NM. Also at times, he and his wife would sponsor kids from the Christian Children's home.
Jim was employed with the Telephone Company for 40 years until his retirement in 1994. During his time with the phone company, he was a member of the local CWA #7001 and also a member of the Telephone Pioneers following his retirement in 1994.
He was also involved with youth sports in Clovis during his lifetime. He coached boys youth football, basketball, and baseball from 1959 to 1974. He then started coaching girls slow-pitch softball from 1974 to 1986. During this time, he was a co-founder and member of the Clovis Girls Athletic Association since 1972, which includes youth softball and basketball. During his time with CGAA, he served at various times as President, Vice-President, Director, field maintenance crew and coach. He was on the CGAA Board of Governors for the past seven years serving in an advisory capacity. The softball field located at Main and Manana was renamed, Jim Cox Field in 1992, in honor of his many years of dedicated service to the youth of Clovis. He was also involved with the Clovis Softball Association for many years as a player, coach, and Director of the Men's Church League.
Jim was also involved with the Clovis Schools with the Character Counts program for several years; CHS Band Boosters for 14 years where he held different offices and chaperoned every scheduled band trip; and CHS Football Boosters for many years, drove activity busses for nine years at Adair Transportation, and also was the Communication Specialist for the Football home games.
Jim enjoyed camping, playing softball (where he played until the age of 69 years old), coaching youth sports and he was an avid sports fan. He was also a devoted Clovis Wildcat fan by following any and every activity possible. During the summertime, he would spend his time watching many softball games, most of which included his favorite team the Pink Panthers Girls Softball Club. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife JoAnn Cox of the home; three daughters, Pamela Beaver and her husband, David of Brownfield, TX, Kathy Cox, and Kimberlee Cox and her husband Christopher of Clovis, NM; two granddaughters, Leslee Thrower and husband Shannon and Chelsea Beaver; five great-grandchildren, Tara Thrower, Raylee Thrower, Jariot Thrower, Autumn Thrower, and Natalie Duran; two sisters, Virginia Skinner of Albuquerque, NM, and Glenda Johnson and husband, Bill of Clovis, NM; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Judy Ann Cox.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Christian Childrens Home, 1356 Hwy 236, Portales, NM 88130; High Plains Childrens Home, 11461 S. Western, Amarillo, TX 79118-4119; or Relay For Life, P.O. Box 1856, Clovis, NM 88102.
Arrangements are entrusted to Muffley Funeral Home (575) 762-4435.