Sid Cox

Born on June 22, 1930, in Marshall, Oklahoma, to Ophia and Howard Cox, Sid came west during the Dust Bowl—but not before his pet pig got butchered to feed the family. For the 12-month journey to California, Howard built a camper out of wood and canvas on the back of a flatbed truck. As a first-grader, Sid attended a dozen schools, wherever the family would stop and Howard would earn enough money to keep going, until staying for the winter in Glendale, Arizona. Sid’s mother insisted that he receive a formal education, which made all the difference in his life and the generations to follow.

He had to work weekends in the fields with his father if he wanted new clothes like his classmates had. When he would daydream while picking cotton, Howard would fire unopened bolls at him—still green and hard. “Ball the jack, Hoss,” he would admonish. It’s one of many stories that Sid shared about his childhood, and his family never got tired of hearing them.

Howard tried farming himself, but went broke repeatedly. Sid moved 10 times in 10 years around the Fresno - Clovis area, and twice to the Bay Area so his father and brothers could work in the shipyards during World War II.

Sid graduated from Clovis High School in 1948 and attended Reedley College, where he played baseball and had a tryout with the Chicago Cubs. But he decided to finish his degree at Fresno State, graduating in 1952. That same year, he married Norma Jane Foster and got drafted by the Army. But Sgt. Cox could type. From Japan, Sid wrote stories about soldiers for their hometown newspapers during the Korean War.

In 1954, he got a job at KERN in Bakersfield as farm editor. Staying with McClatchy Broadcasting, Sid moved to KMJ radio and TV that same year and then left the studios in 1957, walking across Van Ness Boulevard to the old Fresno Bee building to become a reporter and assistant farm editor for the Country Life section.

In 1964, he joined Producers Cotton Oil Company as public relations manager. Five years later, he became the assistant to the president, and in 1976, rose to vice president of administration.

In 1978, he got a phone call from his sister, Wanda Rogers. She and her husband, Harry, were having trouble raising capital to expand their helicopter business, and she had an idea: “How’d you like to start a bank?” Sid initially thought she was joking, but he was always looking for another project—around the yard or beyond. The following year, Sid and Wanda were founding board members of Clovis Community Bank, with one branch and $2 million in assets. Today, Wanda’s baby is called Central Valley Community Bank, worth $2.3 billion with 21 locations, from Folsom to Visalia.

Sid formed Cox Communications in 1988. Beginning in 1990, he managed AgFRESNO for six years. He was the public relations officer for the Fresno Irrigation District for 18 years and executive director of Fresno Compact for four years.

He became a Rotarian in 1973 and was president of the downtown club from 1981 - 82. But his real gift was fundraising: hundreds of millions for Valley Children’s Hospital—where he received an award for 26 years of service as a board member, the longest ever—Northwest Church, Break the Barriers, United Way, Boy Scouts, Fresno State and Clovis High.

For almost 35 years, Sid played in the same foursome at Sunnyside Country Club. The partners—Dick Johanson, Dick Herrinton and Bill Stewart—changed from round to round, but Sid’s putter stayed hot. He delighted in reading the breaks and draining 12- to 15-footers on the last hole. The bets were small, but the losses still painful for his buddies. While peeling off $1 bills, Dick Johanson would say, mournfully, “Goodbye, George.”

Sid and Norma traveled the world. For a dirt-poor boy from Oklahoma, it was a rich life. They knew so many people, and loved being around them: Bulldog tailgates, Good Company Players and any other excuse to get together.

Following 61 years of marriage, Sid lost his beloved Norma in 2013. His brother, Mickey, died in 1979, and Wanda in 2016. When Sid made it to 80, and then 90, he frequently remembered his mother-in-law’s wisdom. As Tennessee Foster would say, “It’s no fun to get old because all your friends die.” But Sid and Norma are with them again, as they all rejoice in heaven, free from their suffering. Well, until they start coughing up Washingtons.

Sid is survived by sons Kevin (Jaime) and Randy (Diana); grandchildren Conner (Mary), Taylor (Kyle), Remington and Cameron (Kyla); great-grandchildren Layla, Graham and Levi; brother Tex (Sherla) and sisters, Joy Cole (Bob) and Lou Blythe (Ray); and Poochie.

Sid, who worked tirelessly to make life better for so many, was afforded much kindness as he aged. His family thanks all those who really looked after him. They know who they are.

For their steadfast and compassionate care, the family also thanks Bobbi, Jessica and Lisa at Focus Home Health, Andrea at Bristol Hospice, plus Karl and Michelle at A Place Called Home. When Sid first arrived at the care facility, Michelle was holding his hand. “Careful,” he told her. “I’m 92 but I’m still dangerous.”

Sidney Bruton Cox always kept ‘em laughing.

A Memorial Service for Sid will be held Monday, October 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Northwest Church, 5415 North West Avenue, Fresno, California 93711.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions in Sid's memory may be made to Valley Children’s Healthcare (Attention: Foundation), 9300 Valley Children’s Place, Madera, California 93636; and Break the Barriers, Inc., 8555 North Cedar Avenue, Fresno, California 93720.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Cox family.