Ishpeming – James M. "Chan" Cox Jr., age 59 of 1825 North Lake Dr. in Ishpeming Twp. passed away at 11:20am on Sunday September 28, 2008 at the Marquette General Hospital. He had been in ill health for the past 5 months.


Chan was born April 25, 1949 in Ishpeming the son of the late James M. and Margaret (Steede) Cox. Chan was a lifelong area resident. He had worked for the City of Negaunee for over 30 years, in the public works dept. retiring in 1994, due to a back disability. Chan was also a member of the Negaunee Volunteer Fire Dept. for 16years and 5 months. He was a member of the Negaunee Eagles Club. His main hobby was fixing used lawn mowers and snow blowers, but enjoyed tinkering with just about anything that needed fixing.


Survivors include his fiancée Melanie Martti of Ishpeming, 3 sons – James E. (Angel) Cox, Billy Jo (Kelly Stone) Cox, and Nathan Cox all of Ishpeming, 2 daughters – April Cox and Christa Cox both of Ishpeming; 6 brothers – Michael (Katrina) Cox of Munising, and William (Jeanne) Cox, Richard Cox, David (Ruth) Cox, Douglas (Leona Lawry) Cox and Donald (Rose) Cox all of Ishpeming, Christine (Jim Pearson) Gregorich of Ishpeming, Beverly (Tim) Watters of Clinton Twp. and Carol Ann (Jerry) Franson of Escanaba, 9 grandchildren – Tasha Emanuelson, Desirea and James Roark, Ciara Schaffer, Madison Salmi, Andrew Cox, James Earl Cox Jr., Matthew Scott Cox, and Maverick Cox, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Margaret Fisher, a granddaughter Larissa R. Cox and his mother-in-law Elsie Martti.


The family will greet friends and relatives from 5:30pm until 7:00pm on Thursday October 2, 2008 at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 7:00pm on Thursday at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home with the Rev. Lauri O. Maki to officiate. Interment will take place at the Negaunee Cemetery.


Pallbearers will be Robert "Buck" Menard along with his brothers Donald, David, Bill, Douglas and Michael Cox.