Jack D. Cox, 84
Jack passed peacefully in his sleep at home in Escondido, Calif., surrounded by his family.
Born in Ada, Oklahoma, Jack spent his childhood years on the move between Oklahoma, Indiana, Utah, Idaho and California. During his teens, his family settled in Carlisle, Indiana.
After graduating from Pleasantville High, Jack briefly enrolled in Vincennes University before enlisting in the Air Force on Oct. 4, 1955. After completing basic training at MacDill Air Force Base, Jack served at the 306th Strategic Bomb Wing headquarters, the MacDill Air Force Base and the Ernest Harmon Air Force Base in Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He earned a Good Conduct medal and was granted an Honorable Discharge on Aug. 29, 1959.
Jack returned to Vincennes University from 1959 to 1961, then transferred to Rose Polytechnic Institute where he earned a civil engineering degree in 1964. While at Rose he was active in the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and was a Blue Key Honor Society member. After holding an Engineer in Training status for five years, he obtained his professional engineering license in 1969.
On Sept. 2, 1961, Jack married Carol Klein of Evansville, Indiana. They started their family in Terre Haute, Indiana. His son John was born in February 1963, followed by daughter Alysia in September 1967.
Jack's engineering career took the family to Ethyl Visqueen in Terre Haute, then Pfizer plant management jobs in Indiana, Massachusetts, Illinois and finally back to Massachusetts in 1974.
Later, Jack continued with a successful career at Hunter Machine, North Adams, Mass, Troy Belting, Watervliet, NY and he operated his own professional civil engineering business, JCox Associates.
Jack enjoyed the great outdoors and served the local community by building houses, swimming pools and barns. He was an active member of the First Congregational Church, Adams Lions Club, American Society of Civil Engineers, Rose-Hulman alumni association and various volunteer organizations. He was also a friend of Bill W.
In 2003, after 30+ years in Adams, Jack and Carol retired to Champagne Village in Escondido, California. There he spent his remaining years playing golf, painting, reading, serving on the Champagne Village Board of Directors, and volunteering with the Lions Club (Jack was a life member, with 50+ years of service and was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship). He cherished his grandchildren; Jordan of Massachusetts, Caroline, Conrad and Clair
e of San Diego, Calif.
He loved to travel and some favorite places were found on his motorcycle. Additionally, he enjoyed family vacations in Nantucket, Massachusetts, and Sedona, Arizona.
Jack is survived by his wife Carol, son John (Linda), daughter Alysia (Eric), his four grandchildren, a great-granddaughter Olivia, brother Terry Max Cox (Katherine), Aunt Ruby Morris, cousins, several nieces and nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by father Paul, mother Wanda, and sisters Nancy Ladson and Beverly Vanderlynt.
Interment of cremains was held on April 11, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at Miramar National Cemetery.
A local Celebration of Life will be held in Adams, Massachusetts at Forest Park Country Club on Friday, April 22, 2022, at 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the First Congregational Church of Adams, Massachusetts, the Lions Club of Adams, Massachusetts, or the Champagne Village Lions Club, Escondido, California.