James Alvin Cox

Mr. James Alvin Cox passed away peacefully at his residence in Homerville, GA in the early morning hours of June 9, 2025, just two weeks shy of his 93rd birthday. Alvin was born on June 23, 1932 in Clinch County, and except for a stint in the US Army during the Korean War, had lived & worked in Clinch County his entire lifetime. Alvin grew up in the piney flatwoods of Clinch County several miles south of Argyle, GA.

As a boy he enjoyed fishing in Cane and Surveyors Creeks, and coon hunting at night with his favorite hound dogs. His first employment was in the turpentine industry working with the Hinson family near Argyle before entering the US Army during the Korean War. During his time in the Army, Alvin served his country overseas stationed in Japan. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. Alvin was honorably discharged from the US Army on January 8, 1955, having attained the rank of Corporal.

Following his discharge from the Army, Alvin returned to Clinch County and began his extensive career in the forestry industry with International Paper Company in 1958. It was in that year that he married his wife of 67 years, Melba Jean Beverly. They lived at International Paper Co.’s Spooner Tower headquarters remotely located in the woods south of Argyle for 20 years. In 1978 International Paper divested their timberland ownership in this area which was subsequently acquired partly by Container Corporation of America and Rayonier Forest Resources. Alvin subsequently went to work with Rayonier and relocated his family to Homerville where he retired in 1999.

During his forestry career Alvin became a skilled equipment operator, forest road builder, experienced prescribed burner, and a Wildland Fire-fighter. He worked alongside many of the forest industries and GA Forestry Commission’s fire-fighters as a tractor-plow operator containing numerous woods fires throughout his career never sustaining an injury.

Alvin was a man with an enthusiastic sense of humor. He enjoyed watching the episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, Hogan’s Heroes and Gunsmoke. Over the years he and his wife Melba enjoyed many trips up to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge TN and the Great Smoky Mountains. With his grandchildren he enjoyed fishing in the same creeks that he learned to fish as a boy.

Alvin was preceded in death by his mother, Louise Mae Cox, sister, Louise Nancy Malinoski of Phoenix AZ, uncles James Lonnie Cox, Lewis H. Cox, Thomas Christopher Cox, George Cox, and aunts Alma Cox and Mamie Rozier.

He is survived by his wife, Melba Jean Beverly Cox of Homerville, GA, one son, Kenneth Cox (Barbara) of Waycross, GA, one daughter, Catherine Cox Webb (Don) of Homerville, GA, 5 grandchildren: Kenneth James Cox (Amanda) of Manor, GA, Holly Jean Cox (Blaine) of Newnan, GA, LeAnna White (Tangi) of Columbus, GA, Jessica McLaughlin (Henry) of Waycross, GA and Dillon Webb of Homerville, GA, six great-grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held Thursday afternoon, June 12, 2025, at 3:30 pm at Suwannee Chapel Cemetery near Manor.

Sympathy may be expressed online at www.roundtreefuneralhome.net.

Roundtree Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.