Cox, James
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James Sydney Cox (Jim) at his home in Don Pedro on Saturday, December 7th, 2024. He was 87 years old.
Jim was born in Birmingham, Alabama on July 9th, 1937. He joined the U.S. Army shortly after high school, where he served honorably for 3 years. He then began a long and distinguished career in law enforcement spanning over 50 years.
Jim started as a police officer for Huntington Park, then moved on to work for the California Highway Patrol in southern California as an officer, sergeant and lieutenant. One of his proudest accomplishments was flying helicopters for the CHP. He also flew for NBC, picking up newsreels in the evenings and flying them back to the TV station to be aired on the nightly news. And he took a short break from the CHP to serve as a helicopter pilot for the top executive of CalFed in Los Angeles. Afterwards, he returned to his first love, working again for the CHP. He ended that career in the Jamestown and Sacramento areas.
After Jim’s retirement from the CHP, he returned to law enforcement, working with the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, first as a bailiff, then running the department’s vehicle abatement program.
Jim is survived by his wife of 17 years, Vicki Cox, and his stepson Robert Tavares. He was the loving father of Randy Cox and Joyce Kleidosty (husband Bob), as well as the proud grandfather of Brent, Brian (wife Allie), Chad (wife Elysa), Kyle (wife Katelyn) and Cory (wife Sydney) Kleidosty. And he was also proud of his seven great-grandchildren, Ariel, DJ, Mackenzie, Blake, Avery, Brooklyn and Dylan.
Jim was predeceased by his two brothers, Don and Lee Cox. And he has a surviving sister, Mary Bond, of Bakersfield, as well as his first wife Nila Stevenson and her husband Bob, of Sonora.
No service is planned at this time, although a celebration of life will be announced in the near future.
- Date of Death: 12/08/2024
- Age: 87
- Residence: Coulterville, CA
