Jason N. Cox

Thursday, June 19 2008 @ 03:07 AM EDT

The Morning Journal -- ELYRIA -- Army Pfc. Jason Cox of Elyria was killed in action Monday in Iraq less than one month before the end of his tour of duty.

The army has yet to release details about how Jason died.

''Two army officers came to my door and I about went down to the floor when I got the news,'' said Jason's mother, Kathy Cox.

''I'm in disbelief,'' said Jason's brother, Ryan Cox. ''It still doesn't seem real. I wasn't that concerned because I thought he'd make it out. I really did.''

Jason, 21, was deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, N.C., Ryan said. He has already served 11 months of a one-year tour and was scheduled to return home on July 12. The Cox family had plans to take a trip to Fort Bragg to meet him when he returned to the states.

Cox said. He spent 18 days with them in Elyria over the holidays.

His father, Gregory Cox, said the last time he spoke to Jason was about a month ago. He said they always said ''I love you'' to each other.

''He was a nice, active boy,'' Gregory Cox said. ''He enjoyed going out driving in the car and seeing friends.''

''He was a good boy, the best one ever,'' Kathy Cox said. ''He had a lot of friends. He made friends easily. He was a good Christian boy, a true soldier.''

Jason comes from a military family. He had grandparents who served in World War II.

''Our freedom is paid in blood,'' Gregory Cox said. ''We have to periodically shed blood for that freedom, but the rest of the world envies us.''

Ryan and Jason's other brother, Matthew Cox, are also active in the military.

''(Jason) followed in my footsteps in the army, so it's kind of rough,'' Ryan Cox said. ''I kind of mentored him into going in (the army).''

Ryan also served in Iraq and is active in the reserves. Matthew is serving in Kuwait. Matthew will be returning home to attend his brother's funeral.

''We had three boys over there and we put our faith in Jesus Christ,'' Kathy Cox said. ''He took care of our first two.''

Jason is a 2004 graduate of Lorain County Joint Vocational School where he studied to become a diesel mechanic, according to his father. Jason was planning to get married in August.

''I'm sad about (Jason's death),'' Gregory Cox added. ''I really regret that I won't be able to watch him get married or have children.

''He believed in Jesus Christ. I know when my life is over, I'll see him again.''

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bauer Laubenthal Funeral Home.

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