Claire Gentry Weaver Cox, a long time resident of Rock Port, Missouri, died in Olathe, Kansas at Santa Marta retirement community on the 27th of May, 2017, at the age of 89.
Claire was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 27, 1928, daughter of James Arthur Weaver and Frances Blackburn (Weaver) Hilliard of St. Louis and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Claire grew up in St. Louis County and graduated from Webster Groves High School in 1946. In 1950, she graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. degree in Physical Education. At Mizzou, Claire was captain of the varsity field hockey team where she lettered becoming an M-Woman. As a member of Alpha Phi Sorority, Claire was a song leader and sports chairwoman leading her sorority to the Woman’s Intramural Championship in 1950. She was also a member of the University Singers for 4 years.
Claire married John Henry Cox of Rock Port, Missouri, on September 23, 1950, in St. Louis. Thereafter, they moved to Rock Port living there for 61 years, raising three children: John Charles, Claire Frances, and James Michael. In her community, Claire was an active member of First Lutheran Church, serving on the church board as secretary for 3 years. At First Lutheran, she was a member of the Women of the WELCA and a life member of the Church Circles, often serving as the president or leader of those organizations. She was Chairman of the Church Garden Committee and helped plan and landscape the church property. Claire was also a member of the Church Choir.
In Rock Port, Claire served her community for years as a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Brownie Scout Leader and a Girl Scout Troop Leader. With 4 other mothers, she started the first kindergarten in Rock Port. She was Beatification Chairman for the Rock Port Community Betterment Organization for 5 years and a member and past president of the PEO organization. Claire was also a member of the Sorosis Study Club for over 55 years.
Claire taught Physical Education at Rock Port Elementary and High Schools. She was instrumental in bringing the women’s track and field program to Rock Port High School.
She was an active member of both the Northwest Missouri Press Association and Missouri Press Association. Along with her husband, Claire participated in Missouri Press Study Missions and National Press Association trips to Europe and South America as well as trips with the New England Press Association to Mexico and Eastern Europe, which were sponsored by the US State Department. These trips made Claire and John Henry avid travelers on their own, leading to international travel in: France, Italy, Greece, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, and the Mediterranean. They traveled to all 50 states as well as many parts of Canada and Mexico. On the Press trips, Claire wrote detailed travel logs that were published in the Atchison County Mail of which Claire was co-owner.
Throughout her life, Claire had many areas of interest. The main and proudest endeavor of her life was raising her children and providing a loving and fun home environment for her family. Claire was also an avid reader, art collector, and spent endless hours caring for her extensive and beautiful garden. She loved and sought out all things beautiful, up-lifting and interesting.
Claire is survived by her husband John Henry, her son and daughter-in-law John Charles and Emily of Greenwich, CT, daughter Claire Frances (Frannie) of Leawood, KS and son James Michael of Edwardsville, IL, along with five grandchildren: Elizabeth Snow, Hillary, Charles, Michael and Anna Cox, in addition her brother James Jasper Weaver of Columbia Mo., three nieces: Jan Carrel, Lynn Weaver, Nancy Beth Johnson and two nephews, Bryan and Mark Cox.
In celebration of Claire’s life, services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 17, 2017, at First Lutheran Church in Rock Port. The family will greet friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Private family interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery, Rock Port.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a contribution to Boys Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, or First Lutheran Church of Rock Port. Services are under the direction of Chamberlain Funeral Home, Rock Port. Online condolences may be left at www.chamberlainfuneral.com