He was born Aug. 8, 1938, in Rockbridge County, the son of the late Wilbur Gray Cox and Mary Katherine Bates Cox.

Surviving are his loving wife of 66 years, Helen Tomlin Cox; one daughter, Jane Cox Pirooz (Navid); granddaughter, Yassee Elizabeth Pirooz and husband, Yuri Pompeu of Raleigh, N.C.; grandson, Armeen Alexander Pirooz, of Tahoe, Nev.; and great-grandson Leo Gray Pompeu.

Mr. Cox as a teenager achieved his Eagle Scout badge, the highest honor in the Boy Scouts. After graduating Parry McCluer High School in 1955, he attended Old Dominion University. His career started at the Sherwin Williams Paint Company where he worked as a credit manager. His lifelong ambition was to own his own business. He accomplished this goal in 1968 by purchasing Ace Hardware in Buena Vista. After retiring from the hardware business he became vice president of the Bank of America in Buena Vista for the next 10 years.

Jim was called on many times to serve his community by volunteering. He was later recognized for his volunteer work with his achievement of Citizen of the Year in 1977. Jim was a retired member of the Buena Vista Rescue Squad for 60-plus years and served as a board member during his last years. For 50 years Jim was a member of Buena Vista Masonic Lodge # 186 and achieved the status of grand master. Jim was a member of Buena Vista Baptist Church and served on many committees and was a Deacon for many years. He was named Deacon Emeritus in 2019.

A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Buena Vista Baptist Church by Pastor Blake Reese and Pastor Bryan La-Pere.

Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Buena Vista Baptist Church.

Arrangements are being handled by Bolling, Grose, & Lotts Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

NG