In Memoriam: John Cox (1953-2024)

John Thomas Cox, from Princeton, West Virginia, passed away on July 1, 2024. John brought light to the world on December 24, 1953 when he was born in Bluefield, West Virginia to the late Ethel Footo Cox and Thomas Cox. He attended Northfork High School and was a member of the Blue Demon basketball team during the school’s famous stretch of state championships under coach Jennings Boyd. After graduating in 1971, John attended Bluefield State College and later became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. He was a dedicated CRNA at Princeton Community Hospital until his retirement in 2023. His colleagues respected his professionalism and loved the positive energy he brought to the staff and his patients.

Supporting John throughout his education and for the rest of his life was his loving wife, Maria (Constantino) Cox. They were wed on May 17, 1975 and had two sons, Michael and Adam. John enjoyed coaching them both in soccer for many years, and he could always be heard in the stands during their football games, basketball games, and track meets.

John also instilled in his sons a love for music, and the three of them shared a special bond as they went from listening to music and attending concerts to being the ones making music. John loved playing the drums and practiced early every morning, no matter who was still trying to sleep. He graced the stage with various bands over the years, including Margo and the Bluegills, Independent State (with his son Adam), The Pubknockers (with his son Mikey), and Velvet Spruce.

John’s enjoyment of the arts was not limited to music. He was also a passionate actor. He was excited to be part of local movie productions, and for almost 20 years, John played Sid Hatfield in Jean Battlo’s play Terror of the Tug. He especially loved sharing the stage with his wife, Maria, who played Jessie Testerman. In fact, John loved sharing everything with Maria. Together they enjoyed traveling, making nut rolls at Christmas, hosting dinners for Concord University’s track and cross country teams, spending time with family, and singing in the choir at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Princeton. John was a devout Catholic and shared his faith by serving as a lector within the parish.

Family was always most important to John, and he cherished quality time spent with those he loved the most. One of John’s favorite weeks of the year was his family’s annual trip to Nags Head, where he enjoyed riding waves with his sons and grandchildren, playing music on the porch in the evenings, and eating seafood boils.

John spent his life making sure everyone was taken care of, that they felt loved, and that they had joy. And joy they had. John had a warmth about him that was contagious. He was curious and intelligent, always reading and discussing ideas. He was truly interested in what others had to say and was accepting of everyone. He encouraged the passions of others and was excited to share in those passions. He loved life, a good laugh, a good glass of wine or beer he brewed himself, and good food, most often prepared by his favorite chef, Maria.

Those left to cherish John’s memory include his wife, Maria; his sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Tabitha of Princeton and Adam and Jessica of Ripley; his grandchildren, Samuel, Aubrey, Miller, and West; his sister, Maryann Williams (David) of Charleston; his brothers-in-law, Bill Constantino (Lois), Antonio Constantino (Marie), and Michael Constantino (Lori); and a crew of beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, PO Box 1310, Princeton, WV 24740-1310.  Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

This obituary was originally published on Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center’s website.