Mr. James W. Cox

James William (Jim) Cox was born September 7, 1930 to Mary Elizabeth Jenkins Cox and William Erwin (Bill) Cox in Saginaw, Michigan. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Eileen Locke Cox, and a sister, JoAnn Morris Washburn, of Cincinnati, Ohio. He also leaves two nephews, Todd (Mary Rita) and Brand (JoAnna) Washburn of Cincinnati, a niece, Amy (Steve) Moenning of Punta Gorda, Florida, great nephew and niece Jason and Patty Locke of Indianapolis and their daughters Taryn and Remy, and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. Jim was raised in Steubenville, Ohio, where he graduated from Steubenville High School in 1948. Following graduation, Jim enlisted in the United States Army, where he served from 1948-1951, training with the 101st Airborne and the 3rd Armed Cavalry Regiment. Following his military service, Jim attended Ohio University, where he graduated with a Bachelors in Commerce in 1954. Jim met the love of his life, Shirley, at a church dance. They married on September 6, 1953, in East Liverpool, Ohio. After college, Jim went to work for the Borden Ice Cream company, first in Newark, Ohio, and then in Indianapolis, eventually serving as Manager of the Indianapolis District Office, supervising accounting for 12 branch offices. Jim then moved to Hook Drugs, where he spent the rest of his career, as Chief Accountant, Payroll Supervisor, and Special Projects Coordinator. He received the Boss of the Year award in 1977. Jim retired from Hooks in 1988 after 22 years with the company. One of Jim’s great passions was the Indianapolis Zoo. He was one of its first volunteers. Jim loved the animals throughout the zoo, but he especially enjoyed the snakes and other reptiles. His favorite part of his volunteer job was taking reptiles to schools so that children could get to experience and learn about them. The highlight of Jim’s Zoo career was a 15-day trip to the Amazon, which he received as an award for his years of service. Jim retired as “Volunteer Emeritus” from the Zoo after 30 years as a volunteer. Jim was longtime member of Irvington Presbyterian Church, serving as a Dean, Elder, member of the Finance Committee, and on numerous other committees. Jim’s greatest gift to the church was his participation in the choir, where he sang for 50 years. Jim’s favorite hobby was creating stained glass. His signature style was to create quilt patterns in glass. Some of Jim’s stained glass work is a permanent part of Irvington Presbyterian Church, while other pieces decorate the homes of many beloved family members and friends. Jim will be missed, having left his mark on his business and Zoo colleagues, fellow churchgoers, and friends. His wife and family will be forever enriched by his steadfastness and love. Visitation will be Friday, February 13, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Irvington Presbyterian Church, 55 Johnson Avenue, with a memorial service beginning at 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indianapolis Zoo or Irvington Presbyterian Church.

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Mr. James W. Cox

September 7, 1930 - February 6, 2015