Avon Township in southwestern Rock County gave Beloit an outstanding civic and industrial citizen: J. Raymond Cox was born there on November 30, 1890 and was educated in a rural school in Avon. In 1912 Ray was married to Ruth Hutt. In 1907 Mr. Cox first became associated with Fairbanks, Morse and Company as an employee in the machine shop. Except for two years, he remained with Fairbanks until his sudden death on February 19, 1947. In 1920 he was transferred to the Indianapolis plant as a time study man.

He returned to Beloit in 193l and in June, 1935, he was named Safety Director for the plant “on the hill.” He added such outstanding safety proponents as Jess Hogans and Archie Acker-man to his staff and he pioneered in the area of compulsory eye protection, safety shoes, machine guards and belt and pulley shields. In 1937 Ray Cox together with M. Walter Dundore, Laurence Raymer and T.J. Kelley organized the Beloit Safety Council. Its purpose was to promote safe working conditions in local industries and to promote safety in living for Beloit residents in their homes and on the streets. Mr. Cox promoted an annual safety clinic for Beloit and surrounding communities.

In his memory the Beloit Safety Council has presented annually to people who have contributed to the safety programs of the area, the J. Raymond Cox Safety Award. Mr. Cox was probably best known for his services on the Beloit City Council. He was first elected in 1941 and was re-elected for three additional two-year terms. The last he was elected as President of the City Council by his fellow council members. He was serving in this capacity at the time of his death. During this time period the city problems revolved principally around the construction of a new high school.

While he was not a member of the hospital board, the hospital was one of his main interests. Mr. Cox always insisted that the hospital should be equipped with everything necessary to maintain it as a highly-rated institution and asserted its service to the community should never be lacking. He was active in the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Rebeccas and was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Ray Cox was deeply interested in the Beloit Little Theater Guild, working both on stage and behind the scenes, his most prominent acting part was that of the lead role in “Our Town.” Ray Cox was a tireless worker for the interest of the city of Beloit and as a member of the city government his untimely death was a great loss to this community.