Rev. Theodore Olan Cox

Southern Baptist Missionary to Japan

Theodore Olan Cox, son of the late Harry Cox, age 87 went home to be with the Lord Friday, June 17th at home in Comer, GA. He was born in Evansville, Indiana on January 30, 1924.

Mr. Cox served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, with duty at the Porstsmouth, New Hampshire Navy Yard and was in combat on Iwo Jima. He was in the occupational duty in Japan. After 4 years as a Bible-carrying United States Marine, Ted Cox returned to Evansville wearing a purple heart on the outside and carrying a burdened heart inside for the people of Japan.

Ted and Patricia (Pat) Cox were married at the New Bethel Prayer Chapel, Camp Reveal in Evansville, Indiana, June 21, 1946. He was ordained as a minister by the New Bethel Baptist Church here in Evansville, Indiana in 1948.

He pastored churches in Illinois and Oklahoma. At the time of appointment to missionary service in Japan, under the Foreign Mission Board, now the International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention, he was pastor of the Sherwood Baptist Church, Webster Groves in St. Louis, Missouri. He and his wife were appointed as missionaries to Japan in 1959. There he studies the Japanese language in Tokyo and Kobe for two years. He along with his wife did evangelistic work in Kobe, Akashi and Himeji for several years. He was the pastor of Kanto Plains Baptist Church and the Yokohama International Baptist church and also served later and Chairman of the English Speaking Church committee. He served as an area evangelist for the northern area of Japan while stationed in Sendai. In 1976-1980 he was co-pastor of the Tokiwadai Baptist Church in Tokyo. Also, he was a general evangelist in Tokyo and active in the strengthening ministry of the Nakano Baptist Church which included teaching an adult bible class, assisting the pastor in morning worship services, weekday meetings and home meetings. In his own home he had both English and Bible classes of the neighborhood. He served on both the Executive Committee and Long Range Planning Committee of the Japan Baptist Mission. He and his wife remained in Tokyo until they returned to the United States for retirement in 1986. During this retirement Ted served as intern pastor of Grace Baptist, Mt. Vernon First Baptist Church, Washington Avenue Baptist Church and North East Park Baptist Church. He and his wife were very active in promoting Foreign and Home Missions throughout the Southern Baptist Convention. He and wife returned to Japan after retirement five times for volunteer service in Sasebo, Japan in 1989, the “Cross-over Japan” Crusade in the Tokyo area in 1991, twice at the Tokiwadai Baptist Church in 1992-1993 and 1994-1995 and Chaplain of the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo in 1998. He and his wife served as missionaries for a total of 30 years in Japan.

Ted was a graduate of Reitz High School in Evansville and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina and the Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. He also attended the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.

The Rev. Cox was a former member of the Grace Baptist Church before moving to San Angelo, Texas where he became a member of the First Baptist Church. Here, he was the teacher of the “Goodfellow Class” and served on several committees. Also, he and his wife were very busy in the Baptist Memorial’s Center Auxiliary in volunteer work. Later they retired in Comer, GA becoming members of Collier Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia Roberts Cox of Comer, GA. Survivors include his children, a son, the Rev. Dr. Robert John Cox and spouse Julia L. Cox of Boxford, MA., a daughter, Phyllis Patricia Cox and spouse Glen M. Goodman of Comer, GA., grandchildren, Erika Gail Oaks and spouse Robert J. Oaks, Dacula, GA., Thomas Godewyn and Myrna Heulwen Cox, Boxford, MA., and three great-grandchildren, Robert Samuel, Eric Benjamin and Gregory Aaron Oaks, Dacula, GA.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8pm Tuesday, June 21st at Alexander Funeral Home West Evansville, IN. A memorial service will be held at Camp Reveal at 10:00am on Wednesday, June 22nd. Rev. Dale Maddox and Rev. Dr. Robert Cox will be officiating. A reception will follow the service and then graveside services will be held at 2:00pm at Alexander Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderWestChapel.com.