John Cox

John Charles Cox of Helena, Montana died on April 22nd from a rapidly progressing cancer, two weeks after he was diagnosed. John was an exceptionally vital and healthy man, and the rapid decline in his health was very shocking for those who knew him. _x000D_
John was born in 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, to Charles Bernard Cox and Mercedes Moore Cox. He grew up in a close, working-class Chicago neighborhood with his two sisters. He spent summers playing with his cousins and working on his uncles’ farm in Shabbona, Illinois. John went to a Catholic high school and seminary, and then attended Loyola University in Chicago. He graduated with a degree in psychology, obtained a teaching certificate, and then taught at the Cook County jail school while completing his service in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. While on one of several vacations in the West, John answered a help-wanted ad and landed his first Montana job, delivering propane to farmers and ranchers in the Sweetgrass Hills. His second year in the Shelby area, he taught K-8 children in a one-room schoolhouse at the Hillside Hutterite colony. The Helena Votech carpentry program attracted him to The Capital City, where he settled. While working as a carpenter, John met his wife-to-be, Ellen. Within 6 months they were married, and John adopted her two young children, then aged 6 and 9. _x000D_
Together, John and Ellen remodeled a historic church into a home for their family. Subsequently, John completed an accounting degree at Carroll College, and then began work for the Social and Rehabilitative Services division of the State of Montana, where he remained for many years. John loved the country home he and Ellen moved to, where he spent many contented hours jogging in the hills, biking to the top of the Divide, and watching the movement of birds and wildlife in his daily chores. John rounded out his career with the State of Montana advocating for children in the foster care system. This job was very fulfilling for him, as it allowed him to help children in need in Montana. He retired in 2009, leaving him more time to enjoy his family, friends, pets, and outdoor activities. _x000D_
A satisfying day for John included a good strong cup of coffee, perhaps a micro-brew beer, and some kind of exercise. Biking and cross-country skiing were his favorites but he also enjoyed jogging, swimming, kayaking, and hiking. He valued his church community at Plymouth Congregational Church, and was a longtime supporter and volunteer with NAMI Montana. He took great pride in supporting local businesses. His friends and family remember him as an honest, reliable, kind, compassionate, exceptionally ethical, and deeply spiritual person. John was a dedicated family man and a loyal friend. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Cox, his son Bill Cox, and his daughter, Molly Luna Iris. Additionally, he is survived by his sister Marcie (Bill) McGuire, Colleen Frey, and numerous relatives and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John’s name to NAMI Montana, 616 Helena Avenue, Suite 218, Helena, MT 59601, or to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, 1712 East Custer Avenue, Helena, MT 59602. A memorial gathering will be held for John at Plymouth Congregational Church on May 2nd, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. with food and reception to follow.

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