Eileen Cox Jones

On September 12, 2008 After a 12 year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, Eileen Cox Jones at 70 years, was set free by her loving God and we rejoice with her knowing that she has been received into a place where no sickness or pain can ever touch her again. Eileen died in her home surrounded by her family members and her good friend, Nancy R. Griffith at her bedside. Eileen was born in Billings, Montana, the only daughter of Verlon and Winifred (Brown) Cox. She spent her entire life time in Billings graduating from Billings Senior High School with the class of 1956. Eileen continued her education at Eastern Montana College now (MSUB) graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education with a major in mathematics and a minor in physical science. In 1960 Eileen began her career in education at Billings West High School where she taught mathematics and physics teaching classes in Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and Physics. Eileen was granted a leave of absence in 1968 to 1969 for graduate study at the University of Wyoming in Laramie where she earned her Master of Science degree in Natural Science with Emphasis in Mathematics and Physics. Eileen taught a total of 38 years at Billings West High School retiring in 1998. She served as high school club sponsor for Activity Club and Pep Club and was trustee for the Amateur Radio station sponsored by the science club.
 
In 1965 Eileen was awarded Outstanding Young Woman in America Award by the Billings Professional Women’s Club. Her project designs for teaching physics on the high school level were published in Mathematics Teacher. She was a presenter of Sectional topics on Mathematics and physics at the Montana Education association Conventions and the Montana Science Teachers Convention.
 
Eileen and John W Jones were united in marriage on November 16, 1979 in Billings, Montana. Together they enjoyed fulfilling their joint interests in Masonic endeavors, amateur Radio, square dancing, photography, travel, camping and landscaping their new home on Foothill Drive. Eileen greatly enjoyed her new role as step mother to John’s daughter, Connie.
 
Eileen was a beautiful and highly talented person always ready to give of herself and share unselfishly of her time and her efforts where she saw need and opportunity. She deeply loved her family and was devoted from her earliest years to the care for her Mother who suffered from the crippling effects of polio that was later complicated by the onset of Alzheimer’s. Along with her father and mother she maintained a close association with Masonic work; first in Job’s Daughters when she became a charter member of Bethel 3 where she gained experience with leadership, commitment and responsibility as she worked through the line to become honored queen her Bethel in 1956. She made many life time friends, many of whom followed her into Eastern Star where Eileen served as matron of Friendship Chapter 124 in 1966 to 67. She was an accomplished musician on both the piano and organ and played for many Bethel meeting and Installations.
Eileen was a licensed amateur Radio Operator beginning in 1959 and currently holds an Amateur Extra license. She was active as a voluntary test examiner and was devoted to the philosophy Public service where she participated as an active member of YARES, the Yellowstone Amateur Radio Emergency Service and found much enjoyment providing health and welfare communication for community events such as the women’s run, Peaks to prairie, and similar events in Billings and across the state. Eileen’s call letters, K7BFJ, were known to many across the Amateur Radio frequencies.
 
Eileen developed a great interest in the martial arts in particular Taekwondo Karate. She rose to the status of assistant teacher of Taekwondo Karate from 1976 to 1985. In 1978 Eileen earned her first degree black belt in Taekwondo Karate and in 1985 advanced to second degree Black Belt. She especially enjoyed teaching children and youth classes. She participated in tournament and valued the friendships and close ties she formed within the Karate Community and especially within the Dae Myung School under Karate master Karlo Fujiwara.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents Verlon and Winifred (Brown) Cox. She is survived by her Husband John, step daughter Connie Larson and 3 grand children.
 
Visitation for Eileen will be at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary Monday, 12-5 p.m., Tuesday, 8-5 p.m., and Wednesday at church prior to the service.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17^th,  at First United Methodist Church, 4th and Broadway, Billings, Montana. Eileen will be laid to rest in Mountview Cemetery immediately following the service. Reception will follow at the church.  

Memorials in the name of Eileen Cox Jones can be made to River Stone Hospice and to the Alzheimer’s Association.

John, I knew Eileen through Job's Daughters. she was a very caring person. Through all the years we had seen each other but the last time I saw her when she had her Dad at Valley Health Care. I know that you will miss her as we all will. Keep in mind that there are those who still care. Marilyn Thompson Marchinek

I remember Miss Cox as my lively, enthusiastic physics teacher at West in 1970. She made physics fun. There were very few women physics teachers at that time so she seemed like one of kind. May God comfort you in your loss.