James Lester Cox, age 76, 21-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at his home following a battle with leukemia.
Mr. Cox was born on June 14, 1925, in Bange, Adams County, to James Mack Cox and Mary Ina Mae (Huffman) Cox. As a child, he moved with his family to Oklahoma, then back to Washtucna and then to Wenatchee. While in Baker, Ore., he entered the US Navy, and served during World War II.
On Jan. 27, 1950, James married Dora Della Tryon at Del Paso Heights, Calif. The couple lived in the Sacramento area before moving to Utah, Montana and the Aleutian Islands before retiring and moving to Oak Harbor in 1981. James was employed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for a number of years as a power plant maintenance foreman, and ended his career on Amchitka Island working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
James loved to square dance, and was a member of the Whidbey Whirlers. He also enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing and hunting. A favorite hobby was to grow vegetables that could be donated to Help House. He was also a member of the International Order of Foresters and the Blue Jackets, and was a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America.
James is survived by his wife, Dora Della Cox, at home in Oak Harbor; seven children, James MacArthur Cox and wife Opal and Daniel E. Cox and wife Karrie, all of Alturas, Calif.; Mary (Cox) Guinn and husband Nathan, Linda Mae Thomas and Irene L. Walker, all of Salt Lake City; James L. Cox Jr. of Eatonville and William S. Cox; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Wayne E. Cox and wife Doris of Lewiston, Idaho, and Edward Cox and wife Shirley of Monitor; one sister, Mary Sanders of Safford, Ariz.; also, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by brothers Henry, Lorn, Johnny, Will and Sammy Cox and by one sister, Katie Dohrer.
A memorial service will be Thursday, May 2, 2002, at 10 a.m. at New Covenant Fellowship Church, Pastor Ron Eerkes officiating. Memorials may be made to Friends of Home Health Care, P.O. Box 400, Coupeville, WA 98239. Arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel.
