Jennings Cox, Jr.

Artemus Jennings Cox, Jr. passed into the peace of God and ended his struggle with cancer at his home on February 12, 2023. Born at Doster Hospital on December 20, 1940 to Jennings Cox, Sr and Margaret Louise Robinson Cox, Jennings spent the vast majority of his life in Columbus, Mississippi. He grew up in “southside” with a cherished group of neighborhood kids at a time when milk was delivered daily by horse drawn carriage and ice was still delivered to one’s home. Jennings attended Demonstration School and later S.D. Lee High School where he graduated at the age of 17, in 1958. He then attended the University of Mississippi where he joined the SAE Fraternity and began his dream of flying by joining the Air Force ROTC. After obtaining a business degree, Jennings moved back to Columbus for a year prior to attending the Flight Instructor Program for the United States Air Force where he ultimately was aircraft commander for C-124’s. His missions took him worldwide (Newfoundland, Peru, Brazil, Philippines, Europe, Asia and Vietnam).
In 1968, Jennings moved his young family back to Columbus and started work with Chandler Securities and as a farmer. Later, he transitioned into full time landowner and farming. He enjoyed his time as Vice President as well as Director of International Marketing for theAmerican Soybean Association which took him to many emerging markets worldwide. An avid hunter and sportsman, Jennings was a lifelong member of the NRA and the Wild Turkey Federation. He served as president of Cox Landmark Corporation and was a long-term member of the Ivy Bible Class and First United Methodist Church. He was very proud of his association with Rotary Club International where he gave 53 years of service, was president in 1975/76 and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was quite fond of his military career and actively participated in Daedalians and events at Columbus Air Force Base where he was once named Honorary Commander of the 41 st Flying Training Squadron.
Jennings leaves behind his daughter Connie Blair (John), his son Art (Hope) and his son Wade (Susan), as well as 6 grandchildren and his longtime friend and companion Charlotte Stripling.
The family welcomes friends to a visitation in the Carolyn Beard Room at First United Methodist Church in Columbus, Mississippi from 1:30-2:30 PM on Sunday, February 19th with a graveside service to follow at 3:00 PM at Friendship Cemetery. Any memorials can be made to the Rotary Foundation of Columbus-Lowndes County Young Leaders Program, 70 Brickerton Street, Columbus, MS 39701 or to the Keenagers Program at the First United Methodist Church in Columbus, Mississippi.