John Cox Obituary

John Edward Cox passed away on July 14th in Grants Pass, Oregon. John was born on January 31, 1928, in Dierks, Arkansas, to Herbert and Ersie Cox. He was the youngest of two brothers. John's mother, Ersie, passed away when John was two years old. His father, Herbert, was later remarried to Maude Cox in 1933, and the family moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon. Herbert Cox owned and operated Cox Grocery at 432 Commercial Street, Klamath Falls.

John attended Klamath Union High School (KUHS) and graduated in 1946. After high school, he attended Southern Oregon College (SOC) in Ashland, Oregon, receiving an Associate's degree. While attending SOC, John attended a KUHS football game where he met Gladys Charles. John and Gladys were married in 1950.

John was hired by Consolidated Freightways (CF) and moved with Gladys to Beaverton, Oregon, where he worked at the Portland, Oregon, CF office. He was later transferred to Brookings, Oregon, and then back to Klamath Falls, where he worked as a terminal manager. He ended his career with CF serving as terminal manager in Medford, Oregon.

John, Gladys, and their three boys -Dave, Steve & Jim - loved to fish, hunt, camp, hike, waterski, and explore the great Oregon outdoors. They often camped at Fish Lake and Lake of the Woods. John had several hobbies: beekeeping, wine and beer making, growing fruit trees, and rock collecting.

After retirement, John and Gladys purchased a camper van and took many memorable trips across the United States. John and Gladys also loved to play golf and enjoyed playing at many golf courses on the West Coast.

After Gladys died in 2015, John continued to live in Grants Pass and enjoyed watching sports on television, reading, and participating in Newcomer Club activities in Grants Pass. We will miss his humor, wit, and passion for life. He will live on in our thoughts and shared memories.

John and Gladys raised three children: David Charles Cox (1952-1979), Stephen John Cox (1954), and James William Cox (1959-2012). John is survived by son Stephen Cox, Keizer, OR, grandson Jonathan Cox, Belmont, CA, granddaughters Anna Cox Cotton, Keizer, OR, Jacque Cox, Monroe, OR, step-granddaughter Libby Salisbury, Mesa, AZ, and two great-grandsons. Internment will be at Eternal Hills Cemetery, Klamath Falls, Oregon. A private family memorial is planned.