Cox Foundation Reaches out to Huntington Student Photographers
Jim Cox was a special kind of guy. No matter where he went, people liked him. No matter what he did, the result was impressive. Personally, he was loved by family, friends and colleagues. Professionally, he was one of the best at his craft.
To say that Mr. Cox, a 1988 graduate of Huntington High School, was well-regarded is really to underestimate the impact he had in the lives of those who came to know him. So naturally there was an outpouring of grief when he was killed along with a co-worker and two others in a fiery mid-air helicopter collision with a second news chopper over Phoenix on July 27 2007 while filming a stolen car chase for television station KTVK Channel 3. Jim Cox was 37 years old.
The James Alan Cox Foundation for Student Photographers was created in the wake of that tragic accident by the Huntington alum’s parents, sisters and friends. “We started this foundation to help student photographers of high school and college age,” said Mr. Cox’s sister, Leslie Cox, who sits on the foundation’s board of trustees. “For high school students, we are awarding five high-end digital cameras. Our application is now online, with a deadline of October 15th.”
The family hopes current Huntington High School students apply for one of the state-of-the-art cameras that are being made available through the generosity of dozens of foundation donors.
Complete information about the Cox Foundation and the application process, is available by logging onto the foundation’s website at www.jamesalancoxfoundation.org. Only online applications are accepted. (The foundation will also award scholarships for college and technical school study.)
Following his high school graduation, Mr. Cox attended Arizona State University, where in 1993 he obtained his undergraduate degree in broadcasting after studying in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. For a time he worked for the Arizona Cardinals football team.
Born in Kingston, New York on February 20, 1970, Mr. Cox moved to Huntington as a three year old and enjoyed what family members have described as an “idyllic childhood,” playing in his backyard pool and at local beaches and generally goofing around. He loved college and the Southwest, visiting surrounding states and the Grand Canyon, skiing in Flagstaff, Arizona, sailing, playing golf and enjoying the great outdoors.
During his career, Mr. Cox filmed thousands of stories, from car chases to the aftermath of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center to following along the trail of fugitive polygamist Warren Jeffs and even the 2000 U.S. presidential election.
“This foundation is very important to my family,” Leslie Cox said. “It keeps Jimmy's name, spirit and passion alive. We miss him so much. We simply can't describe our sorrow.”
Leslie Cox (Huntington Class of 1983) now lives in Texas with her husband and son. Her parents, Barbara and Alan Cox moved there, too. Her sister, Jenny (Huntington Class of 1985) lives outside of Houston with her husband and two daughters. But, a piece of Leslie’s her heart remains in Huntington to this day.
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We all really loved Huntington and miss it,” Leslie Cox said via e-mail. “I was able to take my family there (my husband and son had never been to Huntington before) last June when we had our family reunion in New York. We actually had it at one of the Finger Lakes, but I made a point of spending a couple of days in Huntington! I wanted to show my family the truly magical place I grew up in!”
Mr. Cox is also survived by several nieces and nephews who knew him as “Uncle Dude.” His family said he had “great stories” and was a “kid at heart” who “loved to play.” His co-workers heartily concur. The Cox children were all proud Huntington graduates.
“I loved my time at Huntington High School,” Leslie Cox said in an e-mail interview. “I thought the education was EXCELLENT. It really prepared me for college and graduate school.” She earned her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University and later obtained a graduate degree at the University of Texas as Austin.
Leslie Cox contacted the Huntington School District via its website, asking that word be spread to current students about the existence of the Cox Foundation and the availability of high-end digital cameras. Her years at Huntington High School remain very special, even after the passage of more than 25 years.
“I have fond memories of my English teacher, Mr. McGillicuddy,” she said. “He was a real stand-out. I was also a cheerleader at Huntington High School and I had a great time with that - and the band was a lot of fun. We even went to England my senior year. Linda Shoemaker was FABULOUS!”
Huntington High School has a thriving photography program and the district’s annual art show each spring showcases some of the best work. There would appear to be plenty of potential applicants among the current Huntington student body for one of the Cox Foundation cameras.
“We are very eager to give out awards to deserving students,” Leslie Cox said. “Jimmy would love that!”
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