John Robert Cox of Gassaway, born June 7, 1944, passed into the arms of Jesus on March 11, 2016, with his family by his side.

John was a member of the Gassaway United Methodist Church and loved his Lord, his wife, children, grandchildren, his mother and brothers and his beloved WVU Mountaineers.

John was preceded in death by his father, Herman D. Cox; grandparents, French and Pearl Cox, Raymond and Beulah Taylor; niece, Melinda Sue Cox.

Surviving John is his wife of almost 51 years, Rhonda K. Cox; son, Jeffrey Cox (Shelly) of Kenna; daughter, Melissa (Mike) Duty of Gassaway; son, Eric Cox of Boston, MA; grandchildren, Taylor, Caleigh, Ryan, Christopher, Maggie and Lyndsay; great grandson, Zaden. Also surviving is his mother and stepfather, Jane and Frank George of Walton; brothers, David (Kim) of Walton, Tim (Harriet) of Grand Rapids, MI and Jamie (Beth) of Paradise, WV; several nieces, nephews and other loving family members.

After graduating from St. Albans High School in 1962, John served in the United States Navy from 1964 to 1967. He graduated from West Virginia University School of Forestry in 1972. In 2009 he retired from the federal government after a career with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

John was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He loved to travel and was a supporter and leader of 4-H and a 4-H All-Star.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations to Livestrong.org.

Service will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at the Gassaway United Methodist Church with the Rev. James Malick and the Rev. Stephen J. White officiating. Burial with Military Rites will be in the Hebron Cemetery, Spencer.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 14 at the Richard M. Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway.

Condolences may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.