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Alva Junior "A.J." Cox
Date Of Birth:August 1, 1928
Date Of Death:October 4, 2010
Service Date:1:00 P.M. Friday
October 8, 2010
Allen Funeral Home

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.
  • From: Mark Carpenter
    Location:Austin, TX

    I remember an overnight trip to Evansville which I took with Jeanie and your family about 30 years ago, and it's one of my really fond memories of time spent with A.J., Phyllis, Jeanie and the Cox family. We stayed up late that night playing UNO. When we get our first really deliciously cool weather in October here in Austin, I still think about that weekend and how much fun I had with you all. (I still play UNO, and even have an electronic UNO game on my iPod!) I also remember the day Jeanie and I went to Helmsburg and A.J. gave me a tour of the engine of a train; and being astonished that he knew what all those different parts DID! A.J. was a wonderful person, and all who knew him were blessed by knowing him. I am keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

  • From: William Clark
    Location:Coal City, IN

    Sorry to hear of John's passing. I worked with him on the IC railroad and also on the Indiana railroad. I saw him last at one on the IC employees reunions. He was a nice man.

  • From: Angela Kinser

    I'm am so sorry for your loss. I work at Garden Villa and have been taking care of AJ since he first came in on Station 2(the rehab part). It was a pleasure to take care of AJ, he always brought a smile to my face and I always looked forward to talking to him and helping him in anyway I could. It was really hard for me and my fellow employee's to lose AJ. He will be sadly missed by us all. AJ was a wonderful man that loved his family and had a huge heart. I will never forget him and the impact he had on me. Its hard working in a nursing home exspecially when you get so close to your patients, what makes it worth every minute is patients like a AJ that bring a smile to your face and warms your heart. I loved AJ very much and will miss him dearly. I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with your family and Phyllis. Phyllis is a wonderful woman and I know AJ his watching over her right now, we will continue to care for your mother and be there for her everyday and give her the care that she deserves and needs, for we all love her also.