John Henry Cox was born May 18, 1924 in Springfield, MO to Isaac Glen and Edith Cox. He was the middle son who helped with the family farm and held odd jobs to work his way through school as the family struggled to survive the Depression. When he was graduating from Central High School, WWII was beginning. He made the choice to enlist in the Air Force. His color blindness limited his opportunity to become a pilot, but his mechanical aptitude allowed him to work on airplanes in a support role. He followed the D-Day invasion into Europe and salvaged planes that had been damaged in combat. He returned from the War and with the assistance of the GI bill began attending Southwest Missouri Teachers College, pursuing a degree in Mathematics. He was the first in his family to obtain a college degree. During his time there he met Doris Ewing from Lebanon, MO.

He and Doris married June 20, 1948. They raised three children; Theresa Ann, Jane Ellen, and John Lawrence. He strove to be a good father and a role model for making good choices in life.

He was hired by the Springfield Public School System to work at the new Parkview High School teaching Math and Business classes. John continued his education at SMS and the University of Missouri at Columbia, obtaining a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling. He continued to work with the school system for the next 39 years, advancing to become the Vice Principal and Boy's Counselor at Study School. John had always been an avid fisherman. When he retired, trout fishing became his sport of choice until his final years.

John was very active in the Baptist Church, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and serving as a Deacon for many years at University Heights Baptist Church. He remained very active and independent in spite of two strokes. He cared for his wife Doris of 65 years as her health declined.

Graveside services with full military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Missouri Veterans Cemetery under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.