James Marion Cox

Cox, James Marion – age 93 of Knoxville, passed on March 16, 2014 following a brief illness. He was born in Florala, Alabama on November 20, 1920 and spent his childhood there. He was the son of the late Ollie L. Cox, Sr. and Frances Clifford Johnson Cox and was married to his beloved Oneta Kindrick Cox for fifty years until her death in 1999. Prior to his military service, James attended UCLA in California and graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in electrical engineering in 1947. During his academic years, he was elected to two national engineering honor societies, Tay Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu. He completed post-graduate studies in economics at Vanderbilt University and University of Tennessee and was a registered professional engineer (P.E.). During World War II he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and also served during the Korean War. He attained the rank of Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and served in operations and engineering assignments in air and airways communications (AACS). While enlisted, he completed and was a graduate of the U.S.A.F. Technical School at Yale University. Mr. Cox was employed at the Tennessee Valley Authority from 1947-1984, except for military service between 1950 and 1952, as an electrical test engineer, electrical development supervisor, market analysis branch chief and eastern power manager. He was assigned from TVA to the Federal Emergency Energy Group in Washington, D.C. during the OPEC Oil embargo energy crisis in 1972 and 1973. Throughout his career he served in many capacities including the TVA Retirement System Board for more than twenty-one years, five years of which were spent as vice-chairman. His TVA work included a long association with local power distributors which include KUB and Sevier County Electric System. He was a longtime member and faithful servant of God at Central Baptist Church of Bearden for more than forty-nine years. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Cox is preceded in death by his siblings, Ollie Cox, Jr., Lamar Cox, Virginia Cox Whitcomb and granddaughter Meghan Cox. Staying here to treasure his memories are his son and best friend, John Cox; sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Eleanor Cox and David and Ruth Cox; daughter and son-in-law, Marianne Cox Williams and Philip Williams; grandchildren, Brian Cox and wife Olesyn Savenko, Matthew and Jennifer Cox, Daniel and Cara Cox, Paul Cox, Emily Williams, Ruthie (Williams) Naddy and her husband Amro Naddy, Sara Williams, Erin Cox Maese and husband Rick, Lauren Cox Poczatek and husband Collin, and Karen Cox Messaros and husband Chris; great-grandchildren, Andrei Nikolai Cox, Ella Grace Cox, and Ethan and Abigail Cox; several nieces and nephews. A private interment service will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at Edgewood Cemetery. A funeral service to celebrate James’ life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Central Baptist Church of Bearden officiated by Dr. Larry Fields and Reverend Mark Moreland. Following the service, the family will receive friends with a reception in the church fellowship hall. Online condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

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James Marion Cox

November 20, 1920 - March 16, 2014