Neva M. Cox

Neva Marie (Black) Cox, aged 87, passed away peacefully at home on January 6, 2025. Neva was born July 21, 1937, to Clete Oakley and Dorothy Florence Black in Hailey, Idaho. Her parents relocated from Iowa in 1935 to the Ketchum/Sun Valley area because they loved the mountains, hunting, and fishing of Southcentral Idaho, a passion they passed on to Neva. She attended Ketchum Grade School and Wood River High School up to her sophomore year and made many friends, which she cherished dearly.

She had many memories and told many stories, often many times, about growing up in the Wood River Valley with all of her friends, outdoor activities, including skiing. She loved talking about living in a tent while her father operated as an independent logger and contractor up the North Fork of the Wood River. She truly loved the outdoors, often loading up her boys in her Rambler station-wagon and driving north to about any campsite she could find along the Wood River, building a campfire and cutting willow branches just to roast hot dogs, an event she absolutely loved. Mushroom “hunting” and huckleberry picking were part of annual quest. One of her great and memorable accomplishments was shooting a monstrous Mule Deer Buck and placing 3rd in a southern Idaho Big Buck Contest. She was well known for getting extremely, over-the-top, pounding you on the shoulder excited whenever she spotted any game animals like deer, elk, antelope. AND…she was usually the first one to spot those animals.

Neva married Clarence E. Cox Jr. on May 2, 1954, in Ketchum, Idaho. She had 4 children: Charles “Chuck,” Tina Marie, Clarence, and Howard. She was a devoted military wife, following and supporting her husband in his Naval career from San Diego to the San Fransico Bay Area to Pendleton, OR and finally retiring to Jerome, Idaho. There they bought a small farm, milked cows and raised their own beef, hogs, and chickens. Her primary career was “MOM” but would take on various jobs to supplement the family income. Her favorite job, outside her home, was as a cook at Cimmiyotti’s Steak House in Pendleton, OR, where she often received sincere complements for cooking “the perfect steak” for grateful customers. After moving to Magic Valley, she worked at Green Giant in Buhl during the sweet corn campaign, CSI as a cafeteria cook, Tupperware factory in Jerome, babysitting and fast order cook.

Neva was devoted to her children and grandchildren. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, official Score Keeper for her boys’ little league games, and a major supporter of the Jerome FFA Chapter, receiving 2 separate Chapter awards of appreciation for her work and dedication to the chapter. She was very good at attending any sporting event in which her children and grandchildren were involved.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence Elwood Jr.; daughter, Tina Marie; son, Howard Oakley; 2 bothers, Arthur and Robert; 2 Great-Grandchildren, and 1 Great-Great Grandchild.

She is survived by her brother, John (Madeline) of Salmon, ID; 2 sons, Chuck (Markee) of Ellensburg, WA and Clarence E. (Michelle) of Salmon, Idaho; 8 Grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, a few great-great grandchildren and numerous step-grandchildren.

She loved and cherished her friends at the Jerome Senior Center and loved having lunch with those friends. She also attended the Jerome Free Will Baptist Church and loved being with its members, singing hymnals, listening to the preacher, and reading her bible.

A memorial service and dinner following will be on March 8, 11:00 AM at the Jerome Free Will Baptist Church, 810 S. Cleveland St. Jerome, ID 83338.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to the Jerome Senior Center or the Jerome Free Will Baptist Church.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Neva’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com