James Robert Cox

Asheville James Robert Cox, 82, passed away Monday, September 11, 2006, at the St. Joseph Campus of Mission Hospitals. Mr. Cox was born April 30, 1924, and was the son of the late H. Clay and Lillie Murray Cox. He was preceded in death by brothers: H. Clay Cox, Jr., Virgil Q. Cox, Don Cox, Lyndon Cox, and Quentin Cox; and a sister, Julia Cox Wall. Surviving are his wife of 30 years, Julia Teeter Cox; daughter, Marla Christie and granddaughter, Kayla Nicole Christie of Hickory; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Cox resided in Asheville for the past 30 years. He was an active community leader, having served as past president of Civitan, board member for Eliada Home for Children, and chairman of the hospitals Heart Fund Drive in 1979. He was a member of Vance Masonic Lodge attaining his 50-year recognition in 1997. He established the Sales Masters Club, and was a member of Toastmaster and numerous other sales and marketing clubs. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Asheville. Mr. Cox was a graduate of Mars Hill College, Wake Forest University, and East Tennessee State University, where he received his Master of Education degree. He was in government service with the FBI early in life prior to joining Asheville-Buncombe Technical College as Director of Adult Distributive Education. There, he was involved in establishing the Schools of Allied Health, Hotel/Motel Management, and Culinary Arts. In addition, he served as a history instructor with the Asheville City School System in the 1960s. Mr. Cox was affiliated with Mars Hill College for 35 years, having served as Director of Alumni Affairs, Vice President of Development and Vice President of Institutional Advancement. He established numerous alumni chapters throughout the Eastern US. His avid involvement in sports led to his establishment of the colleges Golden M Club. He received a Certificate of Recognition from the college for his outstanding service in securing a vast number of endowed scholarships to support educational programs. Mr. Cox retired with emeritus status from the college in 1993, having seen the college through crucial years with his developmental skills honed by his affable personality, people skills, and genuine regard for the college and its mission. He was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Resource Development in 2003 in addition to various other distinguished service awards. He was also inducted into the Mars Hill College Athletic Hall of Fame. After his retirement, he continued to work as a part-time consultant for the college until 2004. Services will be held at 11 AM Thursday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dr. Buddy Corbin and Dr. Dan Lunsford, President of Mars Hill College, officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mars Hill Scholarship Fund, Mars Hill, NC 28754, or to the American Heart Association, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216.