Jacob Harrison Cox

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Debo Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Callaway Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home.

Jacob was born March 1, 1934 in Charleston, Illinois, to Jacob and Lydia Welsh Cox. He was married to Berdeina Sparks on January 9, 1955, in Charleston.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1953-56 and while serving, he accepted the Lord in Lacosta, Japan.

He worked in the grocery business for many years and had been the owner of Jake’s IGA in Fulton. He continued working in retail and worked for Brach’s candy and the people of Fulton all knew him as the “Candy Man”.

His hearts work and passion was in the ministry, where he served for over 50 years, pastoring at New Hope Baptist Church in Calwood, Missouri, and currently pastor of Open Heart Baptist Church in Columbia, Missouri. He was also actively involved in the Southern Baptist Association and Little Bon Femme Association.

Jacob enjoyed fishing but his greatest love was spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Berdeina; four daughters, Debra (Mark) Thomas of Kansas City, Missouri, Amy (Bob) Easley of Fulton, Laura (Jim) Roberson of Fulton, and Jill (George) Canfield of Republic, Missouri; one brother, David (Nancy) Cox of Charleston, Illinois; two sisters, Helen (Kenneth) Slifer and Beth Haverstock both of Illinois; thirteen grandchildren, Kimberly Anderson, Eric Anderson, Chad Greenburg, Lerose Morales, Matt Flowers, Micah Flowers, Lance Flowers, Brandon Flowers, April Masterson, Anthony Roberson, Amanda Balkin, Caitlin Canfield and Jacob Canfield; along with thirteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Jacob was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Lydia; one brother; two sisters, Lydia Ann Shaffer and Nancy Joan Psik and one great-grandson, Caleb Easley.

Memorial contributions may be made to Open Heart Baptist Church, 2519 N. Lake of the Woods Road, Columbia, Missouri, 65202 for the purpose of purchasing Gideon Bibles in Jacob’s name through the Gideon Society.

Online condolences may be offered at www.debofuneralhome.com