Rick Jacox Obituary

Rick Jacox attended Ontario High School in Mansfield, OH. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Rick Jacox.

Graduation Year	Faculty
Date of Passing	Apr 28, 2023
About	Though best known as an innovative and beloved educator, Rick Jacox’s life was defined by his close relationships and deep faith. Rick passed away Friday April 28, 2023 at Ohio State University Hospital. He was 66. Richard D. Jacox was born November 2, 1956 in Biloxi, Mississippi to Darell and Lorna (Manzy) Jacox. Raised in a military family, Rick lived in Mississippi, Okinawa, Illinois, Texas, Colorado, California and Germany. He seldom spoke until he was three years old, then began speaking in full sentences, using a combination of English and Japanese. His 4th grade teacher called a meeting to inform Rick’s parents that their son was mentally handicapped as he preferred reading the encyclopedias in the back of the room to listening to her lessons. In 1974 Rick graduated from El Cajon Valley High School, California. After coming to faith during the Jesus Movement, he promptly told his father that he planned to be a dishwasher until Jesus returned. In response, Rick found himself beginning his military career at his father’s rather urgent insistence. He spent 6 years in the Air Force, first as a Corpsman and then as a cardiopulmonary lab specialist. While stationed in Germany following the Baader-Meinhof troubles, he was ordered to sweep the hospital for explosives during a bomb threat. According to his Colonel, he was cheaper to replace than the bomb dog, who waited patiently outside. After being honorably discharged on April 30, 1983, he continued his cardiopulmonary career at a hospital in Colorado where he met Susan Norris, a respiratory therapist from Tiffin, Ohio. The two were married on June 16, 1984 and their son Zacharias was born the following May. As a husband and father, his love was unfailing. Rick and Sue soon moved their young family to Ohio so Zach could grow up near his grandparents. Rick continued his work in hospitals until deciding to pursue a teaching career. He graduated from Bowling Green State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He continued his studies at the University of Toledo where he earned his Master’s Degree in Science and Education. Rick began his teaching career in North Baltimore Schools where he taught for three years. He then taught at Clear Fork High School for 10 years. While at Clear Fork, he built a 2-person hovercraft that terrorized the hallways, sending bicycle helmet-wearing students bouncing off lockers. His students built catapults out of farm tractor parts & potato guns that shelled the hills beyond school property. From Clear Fork, he moved to Ontario High School, where he taught for 18 years, only retiring last May. He said he taught in great school districts and enjoyed a wealth of support from parents, students, other teachers and the community. Rick taught challenging chemistry & physics classes but did his best to engage his students with humor, kindness & respect. Always an early adopter of technology, he was one of the first teachers in the state to turn his lectures into podcasts so that students could digest the often formidable material at their own pace. Rick's high standards prepared his students for future college level coursework & careers in science & medicine. Despite the known difficulty of his classes, he was very popular with most of his students. His signature humor, calm, wit and wisdom made a lasting impression on so many. More than a gifted educator and innovator, he was intent on caring for his students and colleagues. He won grants and awards but never regarded anything as a greater achievement than making someone feel valued and alive. Rick’s brother was also a beloved teacher, winning Teacher of the Year before being fired the following year. So when Rick was awarded Teacher of the Year the first time, he expected the worst. Eventually repetition eased that anxiety. He was celebrated by both students and colleagues on multiple occasions and in many ways. Not one to miss work…for anything, Rick worked through illness for the last several years of his career. Rick’s faith in Christ never wavered, even during life’s difficult seasons. He always saw Jesus’ love as an invitation, not an imperative. Sometimes his stance against authoritarian ideas in the name of God was isolating, but he held fast to his integrity and belief in the true goodness of Jesus. Rick had a large life full of adventure. He rode his motorcycle from California to Texas during a hurricane. He climbed glaciers. He preferred body surfing in the Pacific Ocean during the winter, regarding those who relied on wet suits as missing the point - possibly the only instance where he felt himself better than anyone else. The mountains of Colorado were his favorite place. He said he never felt more alive than among the red rocks and blue skies of his uncle’s ranch in Eagle County, Colorado. Rick was singular and extraordinary, though humble to a fault. He was probably more aware of his weaknesses than his strengths and was often quick to remind his enthusiasts that he wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. He always endeavored to honor the individuality of those around him. He was generous with his time and attention - allowing all whom he interacted with to feel seen and supported. No one could ask for a better father or husband, family member, or friend. If you knew Rick, you knew his love for his son and his wife - and more recently, his beautiful and beloved granddaughter, Clover. Rick is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Sue Jacox of Lexington; son Zach (Carra) Jacox; granddaughter Clover Jacox; siblings Lori (Tom) Sewolt, Ed (Melinda) Jacox, and Jan (Scott) Truitt; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents Darrell and Lorna Jacox.