It never ceases to amaze me that folks of the "Greatest Generation," who silently live among us, continue to contribute to the quality of life long after they no longer are expected to. Joe Cox, an 86-year-old longtime resident of Overland Park, is a prime example.

Cox and his three brothers were born in the same house, in the same bedroom, and delivered by the same physician at 433 S. Blair St. in the northeast section of Kansas City, Mo. At age 17, he dropped out of Northeast High School and talked his parents into signing consent papers for the U.S. Navy.

After boot camp in Illinois, where he was introduced to the unpleasantness of cold-water showers, Cox was assigned to the new USS Yorktown, which replaced the original USS Yorktown, which gallantly fought to its death during the Battle of Midway in 1942. Christened by Eleanor Roosevelt, the ship would be Cox's home for 18 months, including 120 days at sea without touching land.

Cox's job on the carrier was to "spot," or "push," the aircraft into strategic positions on the deck so launchings and landings were unimpeded and smooth.

For the next several months, Cox participated in air strikes at Marcus Island, Wake Island, Tarawa, Makin, Wotje, Kwajalein, Majuro, New Guinea, Truk, Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima, Chichi Jima, and the Palau Islands. His awards include seven campaign ribbons and the Presidential Unit Citation.

In September 1944, when the USS Yorktown docked at Puget Sound in Washington for repairs, Cox was transferred.

"It was a strange feeling walking down the gangplank," reminisced Cox, "knowing that I would never board her again."

Emotions ran deep for the 19-year-old. The Yorktown was his first home away from home, she had kept him safe, and he had done a lot of growing up while aboard.

It's interesting to note that Cox's 47-year-old father enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943. Cox reunited in 1945 with his parents in New York City, where they celebrated V-E Day.

"My father and I were both in uniform," recalls Cox, "and we didn't have to pay for a thing."

Cox was discharged in St. Louis in March 1946. Upon return to civilian life he finished high school and put a year of college under his belt. In 1948 he joined a Navy reserve squadron at the Olathe Naval Air Station; married a girl he met on a blind date his father set up for him (he and Priscilla have been married for 61 years); bought a home in Overland Park (in which he and Priscilla live today after 58 years); went on active duty in 1949; and retired from the Navy in 1966.

At age 62, Cox accepted an early-out retirement from Coca Cola Co. Two weeks later he accepted a part-time job as a maintenance man at the Santa Fe Towers in Overland Park, where he still works today, enjoying a reputation for entertaining visiting nurses with jokes.

For nearly 60 years, Cox has volunteered his services to improve the quality of life for area residents.

In 1954, the area west of Antioch Road, where Cox had built his home, had no fire protection from the City of Overland Park. Cox, who served several years as a political party precinct committeeman, was able to gather enough citizens in his area to establish a volunteer fire department.

With land donated by the city, an old pumper truck donated by the county, donations by citizens, and volunteer labor, a fire house was built at 85th Street and Grandview Lane.

"Whenever that siren went off," remembers Cox, "every volunteer fireman available ran to the fire house."

Cox remained a volunteer until the department merged with the City of Overland Park in 1970.

Cox serves on the Community Development Block Grant Funding Committee of Overland Park, which distributes grant money to worthy organizations and for such projects as streets. Cox has been a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for 65 years and held every office available, including post commander.

He served 15 years with the Old Olathe Naval Air Station organization, preserving a museum on the base, and is a member of the Navy and Marine Corps Fleet Reserve Association.

He and Priscilla have been active for years in St. Thomas the Apostle Church. They have spent 30 years visiting prison inmates, and still serve the poor and homeless at food distribution points.

Cox is a Mason and a Shriner and finds time to bowl once a week and attend a men's prayer group every other week.

He and Priscilla have two children, Jim and Kelly, and three grandchildren. He has no plans to slow down.

---