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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Cox, Jim

Age 61

COX, Jim April 22, 1951- November 14, 2012 Of Superior passed away on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula.

Jim, along with his twin sister, was born on April 22, 1951 to Bill and Bette Cox in Pullman, Washington.

Jim’s formative years were spent in Deer Park, Washington.

He participated in the Deer Park High School marching band, cross country, basketball, and track and field.

Jim attended Western Montana University on a track and field scholarship, where he pursued his desire to be a teacher and coach.

He and his former teammates were inducted into the Western Montana University Hall of Fame in 2011.

Jim became a successful teacher and coach in many small rural communities in Montana and Washington.

He started his teaching career in Circle, Montana and in 1976 moved back to Washington to teach at the Lake Roosevelt, Pomeroy, Lakewood, Wilbur and Riverside school districts.

After retiring in Washington, Jim felt the need to continue teaching and took a position in Superior, Montana.

Jim taught music, math, science, physics, computer science and driver’s education.

He also coached numerous sports.

Jim’s passion was track and field where his proudest moments include coaching 37 individual state champions, and most recently being part of the Mountain West Track Club.

In recent years Jim expanded his love for Track and Field to include officiating; he attained his USATF level 1 certification.

Jim fell in love and married Diana Gwinn while in Pomeroy on June 12, 1982.

While in Wilbur, Washington, Jim and Diana raised four children: Baily, Kinsy, Reese and Rhandy.

Besides following his children in all their activities, Jim’s interests included golf and guitar playing.

He was a lover of the sports section and followed the progress of the teams where he had once coached.

Jim was a true teacher and gave the gift of learning to all he knew.

He cared for kids and always made it a priority for his students and athletes to have success.

Survivors include his wife, Diana; daughters, Baily Cox (Colin Donovan) of Post Falls, ID, Kinsy Voss (Shane) of Pinedale, WY, and Rhandy Cox of Superior, MT; son, Reese Cox of Dillon, MT; two sisters, Marcia Padgett of Spokane, WA and Jeanice Schmick of Prosser, WA; an aunt, Jeanette Squires of Richland, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A community service will be held at the Superior High School gymnasium on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 11:00 am.

Donations in Jim’s honor can be made to the Mineral Community Hospital, P.O.

Box 66, Superior, MT 59872 or TeamupMontana Cancer Compassion Fund c/o St. Patrick Hospital & Health Foundation, P.O.

Box 4587 Missoula, MT 59806.