Date of Birth:
Tuesday, August 22, 1922
Date of Death:
Monday, May 2, 2016
Age:
93 years old

James Eugene Cox

James “Jim” Eugene Cox, 93 of Rochester, passed away peacefully Monday, May 2, 2016 at Madonna Towers, Rochester.

Jim was born on August 22, 1922 to Harry and Katherine Cox in Saratoga County, Minnesota. He was raised on his family’s farm during the depression which taught him to be independent and self-reliant. He attended St. Charles High School in St. Charles, MN and graduated in 1940. After High School Jim moved to Connecticut and worked in a bearing factory until he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He served in WWII, both in active combat and as an aircraft machinist.

After the war, he met Eleanore Katherine Schloegel; they were married in 1948. Together they were blessed with and raised six daughters Colleen (Connie), Cynthia, Cheryl, Cathleen, Celeste and Carin.

Jim began his career with Northwestern Bell 1946. He started as a lineman working in several towns throughout southern Minnesota until he landed in Rochester, Minnesota in 1956 where he was promoted to “Plant Engineer”. He worked in this capacity until his retirement in 1983.

Jim was not your average man, he had many interests which included, metal detecting, coin collecting, wood carving, hunting and fishing. Jim was gifted with a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed singing with the barbershop quartet. He served as the family historian and also documented the lives of each person in his high school class. Jim was the last surviving member of the St. Charles High School class of 1940.

A man of faith, he and Ellie were charter members of Resurrection Catholic Church. He was a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus and served as editor with the Serra Club which supports and promotes vocations in the Catholic Church.

His civic involvements included advisor for Jr. Achievement, served as President of the Catholic School Board, Town Talkers and a staunch Republican.

Jim enjoyed retirement which gave him time to indulge his many hobbies and travel throughout the US, particularly Arizona, Oregon and Florida. Jim and Ellie were also fortunate to take two trips to Europe visiting the Netherlands, Bavaria and Germany.

Jim loved his family, telling and listening to a good story and shared the love of the game of cribbage to more people than we can count. His ready smile, booming laugh and strong, beautiful singing voice will be missed by all who knew him. Especially by those who called him Husband, Dad, Grandpa and G-G-Pa.

Jim is survived by his wife Ellie; daughters Connie (Reid) Pederson, Cindy, Cheryl (Bill) Canfield, Cathy (Mark) Sparks, Celeste (Ron) Hanson and Carin Cox (Kelvin Craft); thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and his sister Lois Schuchard.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Herb, Fran and Tom.

Visitation and funeral will be held at the Church of the Resurrection on Saturday, May 7^th. Visitation at 10 AM and a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM with the Revs. Kevin Connolly and Donald J. Schmitz officiating. Military Honor Guard and luncheon will follow. Mr. Cox will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling in St. Paul at a private interment.

Memorials are preferred to Mayo Hospice or Ability Building Center of Rochester.