March 2, 2025, 86, Goldsboro —
James Foster Cox, 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center surrounded by his family. Jim was born in Wayne County on April 12, 1938 to the late Emin F. Cox and Evelyn Braxton Cox. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Annette Holmes Cox.
Jim was a standout baseball player earning a selection to the 1960 All-ACC Team as a second baseman. After graduating from North Carolina State University, Jim had a short stint playing for the Baltimore Orioles Minor League affiliate, Bluefield Orioles, in West Virginia.
Jim began his professional career working for Lewis Construction Company where he helped construct three tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Asheville and a water diversion tunnel in Broken Bow Oklahoma. Jim returned home in 1966 where he founded and operated Cox-Edwards Company in Goldsboro for many years with his partner Ed Edwards.
A man of strong faith, Jim worshiped at Goldsboro Friends Meeting. There he served in many leadership roles at the church. In his final days, Jim’s testimony was in his encouragement to others to “keep the faith”. His family finds comfort in knowing that Jim’s faith carried him to his eternal home.
Deeply involved with family, Jim was a proud father and good friend who placed others before himself.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 7, 2025 at the home on Blackjack Church Road from 1 – 5 pm and Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home. A service celebrating Jim’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Goldsboro Friends Meeting with Pastor Tim Grant officiating. Interment will be in the Neuse Friends Cemetery.
Jim is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, John and Stefanie Cox of Goldsboro, Stanton and Melanie Cox of Goldsboro, Brian and Natalie Cox of Raleigh, James and Judy Cox of Mount Olive and Aldon and Meredith Cox of Mount Olive; grandchildren, Brett, Andrew, Hannah Evelyn, Emin, Mary Chandler, Camden, McKenzie, Elijah, Madelyn and Caroline.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Goldsboro Friends Meeting, 700 Guilford Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.
Services are entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
