Faris and Susan Cox

James Faris Cox (74) and Susan Horn Cox (69) died on Friday, June 26, 2026 outside of Casper, Wyoming in a tragic vehicle collision while en route to their cherished family home in Ennis, Montana.

Long-time Golden, Colorado residents, Faris and Susan were married for 44 blissful years and are survived by their two children: Griffin (Lynn) Cox and Catherine (Jared) Shlossman. Whether they were supporting their children’s passions, coaching soccer games, or taking them on family vacations to Lake Powell, Faris and Susan were very active in Griffin and Catherine’s lives. In recent years they tremendously enjoyed being Poppy and Sunny to their grandchildren: Jack Shlossman and Lyla Cox.

Faris was born April 20, 1952 to the late John and Bonnie Cox in Greenville, Mississippi. He was a graduate of Greenville High School and Mississippi State University. Post-college Faris farmed and served in the Mississippi National Guard. During this time Faris and Susan met on a double date. After a brief courtship they were married on April 20, 1982 at Glen Allan Methodist Church. Following a harrowing stint as a crop duster, Faris switched careers utilizing his gregarious personality in a sales position for farm-raised catfish. His sales job brought him and Susan to Golden in 1986 and they quickly put down roots. When offered a promotion to return to the Mississippi Delta, Faris declined and opted to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors in Colorado. Faris was active in the Golden business community with ventures in commercial and residential construction and development as well as co-owning Golden Storage. For many years Faris was active in the First United Methodist Church of Golden where he played keyboard in the church quintet and led music for their congregation. He will be remembered for always lending a hand, his easy-going personality and his wild stories of flying airplanes. Faris leaves behind his three siblings: John (Lynn) Cox, Gloria Montgomery, and Steve (Sandy) Cox.

Susan was born on October 6, 1956 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and spent her formative years in Starkville, Mississippi. She was on the homecoming court and a cheerleader at both Starkville High School and Mississippi State University. At MSU she was a member of Chi Omega sorority and a SAE Little Sister. After moving to Golden, Susan found great professional success in new home sales and real estate brokerage. Susan was an avid college sports fan, particularly of her MSU Bulldogs. She was an impeccable hostess who found true joy in "hunting and gathering" at the grocery store, cooking, and serving up a meal for the people she loved. She leaves behind her beloved mother Marlene Horn and sister Vicki Wolfe and is preceded in death by her father Donovan “Doc” Horn and brother-in-law John Wolfe.

Faris and Susan also share many nieces and nephews and countless friends. They maintained lifelong friendships from Mississippi and were also quick to connect with their Colorado and Montana communities. They treated everyone like family and acted as a second set of parents to many of their children’s friends. They will be so missed.

A celebration of life will be held at Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden, Colorado on Sunday, September 27th from 1:00–4:00PM. Please stop by to celebrate their lives and legacy.