Obituary of John Cox

John A Cox died on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at Foxdale Village, in State College. Born on June 23, 1929, in Huntingdon, he was the son of the late J. Alfred and Elva Foreman Cox. He graduated from Mount Union High School in 1947. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War as a Chaplain's assistant. John graduated with a BA degree in music in 1955 and received his MA in Education and DED in Elementary Education all from Penn State University. John's first teaching job was teaching sixth grade at Hublersburg Elementary School where he also served as acting principal that year. He then taught at several elementary schools in State College and became an administrator at Corl St. and Fairmount Ave. Elementary Schools. In 1969 he opened Park Forest Elementary School as principal where he remained until his retirement in 1989. On February 23, 1952, he married Martha Baldwin of Mount Union. When he returned from Korea, they came to State College for John to finish his undergraduate degree. They both loved State College and never left. John is survived by his wife of 61 years, his daughter Anne Bruce and her husband, Tom, of Boalsburg, his son's, Dr. John B. Cox M.D. and his wife, Jill, of State College, and Neal F. Cox and his wife, Heather, Silver Spring, MD.; eight grandchildren: Spencer, Ben, Allison and Tommy Bruce, David Cox and his fiancée, Heather Ellis, Maggie Ware and her husband, Dan, Jonathan Cox and Kendall Cox. He is also survived by a brother Ed Cox and his wife, Nedra, of Lock Haven. John was a skilled woodworker and during retirement he restored and refinished antique furniture and always took great pains to do a perfect job. He also took up golf with the "Burning Tee" group and loved the game even though he would tell everyone he was a "lousy golfer". John had a strong tenor voice and while an undergraduate at Penn State, sang in the Glee Club and the Varsity Quartet .He also sang in the St. Paul's Methodist Church choir for 52 years. John was known for his friendly, outgoing personality and for his unique sense of humor. He was Master of Ceremonies for many retirement dinners over the years and loved being on stage. John had a special relationship with his children and grandchildren and family always came first with him. Friends will be received at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College, on Friday, January 10, 2014 from 4 until 7 p.m. Funeral service will be held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 250 E. College Ave. State College, on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Dr. G. Edwin Zeiders officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 250 E. College Ave, State College, PA 16801 or Foxdale Village, 500 E Marylyn Ave, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be made at www.kochfuneralhome.com.