Jack Cox

Justin B. "Jack" Cox, 606 Shannon Rd., Asheboro, NC, passed away Sunday, March 6, 2011, at Randolph Hospital. Jack was born January 27, 1934 to the late Justin Cox and Ruth Cox Garner. A graduate of Seagrove High School's Class of 1951, he continued his education at the University of South Carolina/Columbia for two years and graduated from High Point College in 1955. After teaching one year of high school in Siler City, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy for two years. Following the completion of his enlistment in 1958, he returned to Asheboro and became a 7th grade teacher at Fayetteville Street School. During this time he met and married his soulmate, Golda Garner. They were married December 28, 1958 and enjoyed 52 years together. In 1969 Jack and Golda moved to South Carolina and assisted a friend in the opening of an Aviation Transportation Museum. Having been involved and a lover of aviation all his life, they were eventually contacted by the president of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in Wisconsin to become employees of this internationally known organization. They moved to Hales Corners, Wisconsin in January 1970. In 1983 the EAA headquarters and museum moved to Oshkosh, WI where Jack and Golda lived until their retirement in 1999. During their employment with EAA Jack became Editor-in-Chief of publications and a major aviation writer for their major magazine, Sport Aviation. This permitted Jack and Golda to attend many aviation events throughout the U.S., conducting interviews and writing indepth articles about the EAA members. In 1981 Jack and Golda began publishing Sportsman Pilot, a quarterly aviation magazine that again permitted them to travel and meet people of their interests. This publication continued until his passing. Jack received his pilot's license in 1963 and over the years he and Golda owned and flew eight different aircraft. They always flew together as they did everything else in life. During his aviation writing career he was the recipient of many awards - among them the induction into the EAA Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame and the EAA Homebuilder's Hall of Fame. A prestige award was received from the Aviation/Space Writers Association for his article on the around the world flight of the Voyager in 1986. Upon retirement they returned to Asheboro and remained active in aviation. Jack was a lifetime member of EAA, a member of AOPA, a director of the EAANAA Chapter 3, and a member of the Asheboro Airport Authority. He was also a member of the voting panel of the Motorsports Hall of Fame. Jack is survived by his wife, Golda, brother Thomas Cox and his wife Becky of Asheboro; sister-in-Iaw/ brother-in-law, Betsy and Donald Johstono of Macon, GA., Nephews, Tom Cox, Jr. and his wife Cindy of Randleman, Bryan Cox of Asheboro, Don Johstono, Jr. of Macon, GA, Michael Johstono and his wife Crystal of Macon, GA, Nieces, Cindy Morris and her husband Tom of Asheboro, Sharon Bennett and her husband Mike of Macon, GA, Cathy Stewart and her husband Steve of Macon, GA, Melissa Grater and her husband Tim of Knoxville, TN and numerous great nieces and nephews. At the request of the deceased there will be no funeral or memorial services. The family would like to thank Dr. Christine McCarty, the staff of the Randolph Cancer Center, Dr. Isley, Dr. Lininger and especially the 3rd floor nurses at Randolph Hospital for their care and compassion. They made a very difficult time more bearable. Donations may be made to the Randolph Cancer Center, 373 N. Fayetteville St., Asheboro, NC 27203 or the Randolph Public Library, 201 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203. Jack was a lover of books, especially history, having taught the subject during his years at Fayetteville Street School. It would be appropriate that he be remembered through the enjoyment of the local library.