Earlier this month, on Aug. 6, area pastor Rev. Raphael “Ray” Cox celebrated his 80th birthday. He also reflects on having attended the historic March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963.
He was just 18 when the famous D.C. march occurred. By late summer 1963, Rev. Cox had graduated from Beaver Falls High School in Pennsylvania, when his pastor suggested he attend the march.
“Then, I didn’t fully realize the impact of my attending such a monumental event,” Rev. Cox said. “As time passes, and I grow older, I now realize I’m one of the few surviving attendees,” he said.
While he was ordained as a pastor in 2002, Rev. Cox said being in the presence of Dr. King’s iconic “I Have A Dream" speech obviously had a lasting impact on his future. “His speech was short, but oh, so powerful,” Rev. Cox said.
The pastor relocated to Canton in 1963, became a welder for Timken Roller Bearing Corp., and retired in 2002 after 37 years.
His wife of 53 years, the late Pastor Mary Lovee (Battle) Cox, died in January 2023. They have one son, Gerald Cox, and two grandsons, Brandon Cox and Deante Gray.
Rev. Cox’s Light of Christ Church and Community Drop-In Center in Highland Park annually sponsors a Gold Jacket Hall of Fame event where past NFL Hall of Fame enshrinees visit his church to offer words of inspiration to less-fortunate youth and community church members. Rev. Cox said his annual event provides his parishioners and community a chance to meet NFL legends during Canton’s Enshrinement weekend.
On reaching the big 8-0, Rev. Cox said, “It was always in my prayers that I would make it. Every day is a good day if you can wake up and tell the Lord 'thanks,'” he said.
Timothy Cox, Baltimore
Timothy Cox is Rev. Raphael “Ray” Cox’s brother
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Applause: Local pastor turns 80; reflects on March on Washington
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