New Sharon – John E. Cox left this earth on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. He had taken ill suddenly, was transported to Maine Medical Center, and passed there surrounded by love and family. John was born at the old Farmington Hospital in Fairbanks Maine; the son of Ruth Marion Stinchfield Richards Cox and Cecil Bertron Cox on August 18, 1964. He grew up attending New Sharon Elementary School and graduated from Mt. Blue High School. John grew up helping his parents run Happy Acres Poultry Farm. He was a blue-collar man who loved working. John learned to turn his hand doing many jobs during his life. From farming to logging and construction, to owning and running New Sharon Machine as a young man; he eventually settled on millwright work. He worked as a millwright for the last 20 years or so at Verso Paper in Jay until the explosion in 2020. Since then, he had been a traveling technician for Clyde Industries. When he was young, John loved hunting and fishing. Later he enjoyed snowmobiling and grooming/fixing trails as a member of the New Sharon Sno Riders Snowmobile Club. He always loved visiting with friends. Everyone loved John. He was a loving, generous, gentle man, who contributed a multitude of talents and uncountable hours to both his family and community selflessly. John will be missed by many. John was predeceased by his father, Cecil B. Cox; his mother, Ruth Marion Cox; his half-brothers, Boyd Richards and Sheridan Richards; his half sister, Irene Cox; and one of his best childhood friends, Jeff McCourt. John is survived by his life mate of 28 years, Elaine Stevens; Elaine's two children, that he helped her finish raising and loved like his own, Christyne Lyn Stevens and Aaron Michael Stevens; his grandchildren, Jordyn Lyn Stevens, Ridlon and Kristoffer Michael Welch; a great-grandson, Liam Michael Welch; his older half-brothers, Mark Richards, Jordan Richards and Bertron Eugene Cox; his half-sister, Sandra Marie Starbird; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins; and dear friends. There will be no visitation or wake at the funeral home. In lieu of this, there will be a visitation at Johns family home, located at 399 Industry Road, New Sharon, Wednesday September 18, 2024, between the hours of 4-6 pm. All who loved John are welcome to drop by for a bit to say goodbye if they wish. A private family graveside service will be held Friday September 20, 2024, at Strong Village Cemetery at 11:00 am. A Potluck Celebration of John's life will take place Saturday, September 21, 2024, at his home in New Sharon, and is open to friends, family and community, beginning at 4:00 pm. The family would like to specifically thank Maine Medical Center ICU unit for all their hard work and sensitivity during this difficult time; Dan and Scott's Funeral Home for all their navigation, understanding and support; New Sharon Sno Riders for their outpouring of support and love; and Shawn Wing and Donny Gardiner for their devotion and time, these men offered up their crafts to help us provide for John. Arrangements are under the care of Dan and Scott's Cremation and Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, Maine, where memories, photos and condolences may be shared at dsfuneral.com.