MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Blackwell, Boyd, Chassaniol, England, Fillingane, Frazier, Hopson, Suber, Kirby, Sparks
A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY AND TO THE CHARITABLE SUPPORT OF THE FIRE MUSEUM OF MEMPHIS BY THE HONORABLE JIM COX OF OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE SENATE TO HIS SURVIVING FAMILY.
WHEREAS, James Thomason (Jim) Cox passed away at 78 on June 10, 2023. Jim was born in Memphis, Tennessee, June 23, 1944, to T.M. and Lucile Helton Cox. He was a 1962 graduate of Whitehaven High School and held degrees from the University of Mississippi (B.S.) and Memphis State University (J.D.); and
WHEREAS, Jim always enjoyed working, beginning at age 14 in a fire station, which became a lifelong avocation. A brilliant lawyer, he had a long and successful career in healthcare law, including serving as an Arbitration Judge; and
WHEREAS, a man of honesty, forthrightness and sound judgment, Jim made many friends in legal circles, including members of the Mississippi Legislature, where he was a highly touted and erudite lobbyist, the State of Mississippi Departments of Health and Mental Health; and
WHEREAS, Jim was a passionate supporter of the Fire Museum of Memphis whose mission is to promote fire education and life safety, reduce injury, life-loss and property-loss related to fire and to recognize and preserve the heritage of the fire service in Memphis and Mississippi and its contribution to the community; and
WHEREAS, Jim was particularly dedicated to restoring fire trucks. Restoring his beloved pumper trucks involved considerable effort, from custom-cutting stainless steel, to disassembling and replating chrome, to replacing various wood parts and painting and gold leafing. Today his vintage fire trucks stand on display at the Fire Museum of Memphis located at 118 Adams Street in one of the city's original firehouses. On display at the museum, Jim's firetrucks look out at the streets of the city where Jim worked and served with dedication; and
WHEREAS, Jim loved his Ole Miss Rebels, New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, and dachshunds. He will long be remembered as a fine Southern gentleman with a heart of gold; and
WHEREAS, Jim is survived by his stepdaughter, Cori Egan (Brendan); grandchildren, Charlie, Paul and Maggie; lifelong best friend, Warren Wiltshire; special friend, Rachel West. Jim leaves a great number of friends around the state and nation who respected him and found great joy in their friendship and fellowship with him; and
WHEREAS, it is with pride that we remember this individual who devoted himself to the administration of justice over the span of his professional career, contributing significantly to the legal and legislative process and bringing honor to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life of public service to the legal profession and legislative advocacy and to the charitable support of the Fire Museum of Memphis by the Honorable Jim Cox of Oxford, Mississippi, and extend the condolences of the Senate to his surviving family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Jim Cox and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.