James "Jim" Robert Cox, Jr., 56, of Island Park, died Saturday, February 9, 2013 from injuries sustained in a snow machine accident. He was born February 6, 1957, in Cortland, New York, to James and Stella Cox. He graduated from Valley Forge High School in 1975. He then attended the College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry at State University of New York. He also attended the University of Idaho in Moscow.

He went to work for the New York State Department of Parks and Recreation. While working there he saw a bulletin asking for help in the Targhee National Forest. This led to a 32 year career as a forester and firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service. He retired as a wildland firefighter from the Forest Service in December. He did not stay retired for long. He recently started working for Fremont County grooming snowmobile trails.

His love for the outdoors started with hiking on the Appalachian Trail as a teenager. He loved the Rocky Mountains and Island Park was his home.

He loved fishing, hunting and playing pool. He enjoyed cooking. He was a fan of all the New York sports teams, excluding the Mets.

He loved his dogs and his family.

He is survived by his parents, James and Stella Cox of Ft. Myers, Florida; sisters, Stephanie Russell of Syracuse, New York, Natalie (Michael) Rudyk of Montville, Connecticut, Merrie Lynn Streeter of Lake Lucerne, New York, Judie Marie (Daniel) McClimans of Homer, New York; nieces and nephews, Grant and Hillarie Russell, Jenna, Kayla and Brianna Streeter, Rose Marie and James McClimans; and his dogs, Jesse and Swan.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Thursday, February 14, at Ponds Lodge with a potluck lunch starting at 12:00 noon.