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Cox -- John Baker Cox passed away peacefully on January 2, 2003 from complications of a stroke. He was born in Canton, Texas on April 23, 1932 to Baker and Cora Cox. John was a star athlete at Canton High School and played football, basketball, and baseball in college and during his service in the army. John graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1954, then volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany for two years. John met his future wife, Yvonne, while on leave in London, England and returned to the University of Texas to earn his MS degree in Health, P.E., and Educational Administration. John and Yvonne began their life together in Albuquerque in 1958. John first served as P.E. teacher and coach at Emerson Elementary School and Grant Junior High School from 1958-1967. During this time, he was employed by the National Park Service as a park ranger naturalist at Grand Canyon National Park in which he instructed summer visitors in the natural history and geography of the Grand Canyon. John became the director of outdoor education for the Albuquerque Public Schools in 1967. He wrote a federal grant to develop educational facilities at the APS Environmental Education Center in the Sandia Mountains. This site was established as a National Environmental Landmark in 1971 by the Secretary of the Interior. John served as coordinator of Environmental Education, Physical Education, Driver's Education, Health Education, and APS'S Camp Gallagher in the Jemez Mountains until he retired after 33 years of service in the Albuquerque Schools in 1991. John is survived by his wife of 44 years, Yvonne Cox, of Albuquerque; daughter, Julie Beaumont; daughter, Wendy Vasquez of Rio Rancho; daughter, Heidi Cox of Irving, Texas; and daughter, Kami Quintana and husband, Jerry, of Albuquerque. John dearly loved and was adored by his four grandchildren, Kyle and Kendra Quintana and Brianna and Brandon Vasquez. John is also survived by his sister, Pat Moore and husband, Jim, of Arlington, TX; niece, Kim Methe of Oklahoma City, OK; and nephew, Mark Moore of Arlington, TX. John enjoyed the outdoors, sailing, music, and the quest for knowledge of the beautiful world around him. He shared his love and respect for the environment with many people and organizations and will be fondly remembered for his numerous outstanding qualities. Cremation has taken place and John requested that there be no formal services, but rather a celebration of the love and memories he shared with his friends and family.
        Published on: Sat January 11, 2003