Alva "A.J." Cox

Alva Junior “A.J.” Cox, 82, of Bloomington died on Monday, October 4, 2010 at Garden Villa in Bloomington. He was born August 1, 1928 in Edwards County, Illinois the son of Charles Alva and Delphia (Baker) Cox. He was a Navy veteran of WW II and served as a radioman 2nd Class aboard the USS Hamner. Following his discharge from the service, he became employed by the Illinois Central and Gulf Railroad along with the Indiana Railroad which gave him over 40 years of service to the industry. He also worked with Ralph Rogers & Company in Bloomington until his retirement. During his working career, Junior spent many hours and days volunteering as a Little League baseball coach at Eastern Heights in Greene County, coached softball and slow play basketball for the Ralph Rogers Team and was a licensed high school baseball, basketball and football official. His interest in sports go back to his high school days in Southern Illinois, where for many years he held the single season scoring record in football. Along with his interest in sports, he served the Woodhaven Christian Church as a Deacon and Elder, was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Illinois) and Burton Woolery Post #18 of the American Legion and was recently able to participate in the Veterans Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in April. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Imogene (Gubbins) Cox of Bloomington, his daughter, Jeanine A. “Jeanie” Cox of Bloomington, his son, John A. Cox of Greene County, one grandson, Justin Cox and three great grandchildren; Samuel Everett Cox, Reghan Lindsey Nicole Cox and Shayla Ann Bell Cox. He was preceded in death by three sisters; Marguerite Mills, Carol Dugas and Valerie Wheeler and two brothers, Donald Cox and Paul Cox. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday at Allen Funeral Home, 4155 S. Old St. Rd. 37 with Rev. Ronald Sutherlin officiating. Burial will be at Harmony Cemetery where the Veterans Honor Guard will conduct Military Graveside Rites. Friends may call Thursday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Allen Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org.

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Alva "A.J." Cox

August 1, 1928 - October 4, 2010