Paul Randy CoxRandy Cox, a talented picture editor, photographer, designer and visuals educator known as much for his passion for photojournalism as his generous spirit, died Jan. 2, 2017, in Portland, Ore. Beyond professional accomplishments, Randy's charisma easily convinced friends, family and colleagues to join him in whatever caper he might dream up. His wife, family and friends cherished him.Paul Randolph Cox was born on Feb. 24, 1953, in Athens, Texas, to Paul Warren Cox and Ida Kathleen Cox. He was an active Cub, Boy and Eagle Scout, earning the God and Country award and Order of the Arrow. He attended primary schools in Texas, Kansas and Missouri, and graduated from Topeka West High School in 1971. He studied photojournalism at to the Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia and received his Bachelor of Journalism in 1975. Randy met the love of his life, Joan Lucille Carlin, also a journalism student at Mizzou. They married on May 27, 1978, in Springfield, Mo.Randy began his 38-year newspaper career as a photographer at the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger, followed by editing, teaching and design positions at The Coffeyville (Kan.) Journal, The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.), The Hartford (Conn.) Courant, the Reynolds School of Journalism in Reno and The Albuquerque (N.M.) Tribune. He moved to The Oregonian in Portland in 1997 as a senior editor to direct photography and visual presentation for about 16 years. After leaving there, he became visuals communications coordinator for the Multnomah County Communications Office.Randy was a gifted editor and an evangelist for documentary photography. He was on the faculty of the Missouri Photojournalism Workshop more than a dozen times and at the Stan Kalish Visual Editing Workshop for almost two decades. He also taught at the Electronic Photojournalism Workshop for nine years, and at countless workshops, including for the National Press Photographers Association and the Society of News Design. During his career, he was recognized many times by NPPA for his service. Students and professionals alike sought him out for his coaching and mentorship. Randy always remained humble and approachable. A loyal friend and confidant, Randy set aside his own concerns to listen to those of others. He had a sharp wit and an often self-deprecating sense of humor. Randy was an avid reader, collector and traveler. He had an abiding interest in digital technology and no iteration of a new Apple product escaped his interest (or purchase).His undaunted inner strength saw him through many challenges, including living the last seven years with kidney cancer. That courage allowed him an engaged life until his final days.Randy is survived by his wife Joany, his brother Brian Cox and sister-in-law Danette Cox of Topeka, brother-in-law Joe Carlin of Salt Lake City, and numerous sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents of Springfield, Mo.A memorial and graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at Selmore Christian Church, 4731 Selmore Road, in Ozark, Mo. A celebration of his life was Jan. 7 in Portland.In lieu of flowers, we are honoring Randy by establishing the Randy Cox Memorial Photojournalism Scholarship at the Missouri School of Journalism. Contributions can be made to http://giving.missouri.edu/RandyCoxScholarship.