Pastor Russell James Cox

Russell James Cox, 83, went to his heavenly home on Friday, January 20, 2012 in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was born October 21, 1928 in Grand Junction, CO. In 1943 during high school in Grand Junction, he met Dolores Young, his wife of 59 yrs. Russell played baseball while attending the University of Colorado at Boulder, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business. He trained at Ft. Benning, Georgia and served in the National Guard from 1948 to 1952. In 1952, he entered full-time ministry, first serving as a pastor in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. During more than 50 years he served churches in Colorado, Arizona, Pennsylvania, California and Florida. He and his wife were the founders of Tempe First Assembly of God, which originally met in Danforth Chapel on the ASU campus. He also served as national youth director for the Assemblies of God in Springfield, Missouri. His love of sports included baseball, football and basketball in the early years – but his true passion was handball. Russell was a faithful Christian husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. Surviving are his wife, Dolores; daughters Janet (Kenneth) Seegren, Judith (Roger, deceased) Lawrence, Dianne (Doak) Bendix, and Deborah (Peter) Zeiner; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Allen. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 26th ¬– 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and on Friday, January 27th – 10:30 AM. A Celebration of his Life: Friday, January 27th – 12:00 noon, At Green Acres Mortuary, 401 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers, donations in Russell’s memory may be made to: Without Walls Christian Center, 2542 W. Warner Rd. Chandler, AZ 85224.