Jessie Oliver Cox

Jessie Oliver Cox Jr., who was later known as "Jay," (or) "J. O.," was born February 28, 1918 in Hamilton, MO to Jessie Oliver and Maude Cox. He was taught to love God and serve others while growing up with his brothers and sisters, Henry, Ralph, Lantie, Rosie (Cox) Puckett, and Violet (Cox) Bortz. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II as a crane operator loading ships with his brother Ralph. The Cox family moved to Idaho and began a custom farming business known as J. O. Cox and Sons. It was later known as Cox Brothers, Inc., and Ralph, Lantie and Jay, continued the family business until 1999 when Jay retired at the age of 81. Jay and his wife Juanita started spending their winters in Yuma, AZ and their summers at their home in Kimberly, ID. After selling their home in Kimberly in (2004), they spent their summers visiting their children in their homes. On September 12, 1948, Jay married Juanita Marie Taylor, daughter of Joe and Martha Taylor. Together, Jay and Juanita had seven children: Linda, Chet, Judy, Richard, Merry, Jenny, and Dave. Jay was involved in serving God in several ways. He served on the Board of the Magic Valley Christian College, even though he, himself, only had an 8th grade education because he had to go to work with the family. He was involved with several Churches of Christ in the Magic Valley by helping in any way he could. This included helping to build several church buildings in the Magic Valley, to include the Church of Christ building in Twin Falls. He also enjoyed leading singing at the area-wide singings and nursing homes. After ending his career in the custom farming business, he continued to work on several different projects to include working on the Senior Center building in Kimberly, ID and the Church of Christ buildings in Twin Falls ID and Yuma, AZ. He also helped people with mechanical and electrical problems over the years. He was a "Jack (Jay) of all trades." Even though he was retired, he never retired from actively serving God. Jay was a loving person who always looked for ways to serve God by serving others. There were numerous occasions when Jay and Juanita opened up their home to strangers, as well as to struggling relatives in order to help them. That's just the way they were. Jay was preceded in death by his parents Jessie O. Cox, Sr. and Maudi Cox, his two sisters Vernie Cox and Ellen Cox, and his three brothers Henry Cox, Ralph Cox, Lantie Cox, and one grandson, Joshua Ross. He leaves behind his loving wife, Juanita. Seven children: Linda (Cecil) Nice of Filer, ID; Chet (Andria) Cox of Nevada City, CA; Judy Milke of Plant City, FL; Richard (Jeanette) Cox of Colorado Springs, CO; Merry (Steve) Olson of Twin Falls, ID; Jenny (Scott) Ross of Post Falls, ID; and Dave (Ruth) Cox of Seattle, WA. Also surviving are his nine grandchildren: Travis (Maxine) Nice of Gillette, WY; Byron (Jackie) Nice of Idaho Falls, ID; Jolie Malizzi of Colorado Springs, CO; Amie Cox of Colorado Springs, CO; Jolene Waymire of Post Falls, ID; Zach Olson of Twin Falls, ID; Brandon Ross of Eagle Pass, TX; Paul and Ben Thorsteinson of Seattle, WA. Also surviving are nine great-grandchildren: Chase (Alyssa), Cody, Ciara, and Chance Nice; Mariah, Alyssia, Josiah, and Alayna Nice; and Paige Malizzi.