James R. Cox

James R. Cox, 82, of New London died Friday, November 19, 2010 at Great River Hospice House, West Burlington. He was born June 14, 1928 in Mt. Union, the son of Raymond and Lorraine Gruver Cox Geary. On December 22, 1988 he married Phyllis Gerst Helms in Winfield. Mr. Cox worked as an Ammunition Specialist for 28 years with the Department of the Army. He service in the Army during the Korean War with a rank of Sergeant first class. He helped in the development of the Henry County Veterans Memorial and the planning of the Honor Tours in Washington, D. C. He served at regional, state, and national levels with the VFW and was a member of the New London VFW Post 7641 as well as the Departmental offices and National offices as district commander. He was a Meals on Wheels volunteer and a blood donor. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church in New London and a 1945 graduate of New London High School. He enjoyed collecting John Deere memorabilia, fishing and playing solitaire. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis of New London; three sons, Michael A. Cox of Oquawka, IL, Michael V. Michener of Rome, Italy, and Brian Cox of Pekin, IL; one daughter, Tamara Simon of Richm...[more]

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, VA; two step-daughters, Kelly Dawson of Mt. Pleasant and Kathy Law of Morton, PA; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; seven step- grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Wallace Geary of Mt. Pleasant; two sisters, Colleen Geary and Judy Krieger both of Ottumwa; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, one brother and one daughter, Shelley A. Cox. Visitation will be from noon until 8:00 PM, Monday, November 22 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with Pastor Bob Dameron and Mr. Larry Moravec officiating. Burial with Military Rites presented by the Henry County Honor Guard will be in Trinity Cemetery in Mt. Union. Memorials have been established for the New London VFW Post 7641 and Great River Hospice House.