A Brief Biography of Our Pastor, Putter Cox

James F. Cox III was born in 1952 and grew up in suburban Philadelphia. The nickname “Putter” (yes, it has to do with golf) was acquired at birth and has stuck. He attended public schools and earned a BA from Princeton University in 1974 in Architecture. Though he grew up going to church he never really heard the gospel until he was introduced to Jesus Christ by friends during college. Following graduation he attended Clinton Baptist Church in northern New Jersey, where he met and subsequently married his wife, Linda. He worked in the construction business in that area until matriculation at Dallas Theological Seminary in 1980. Two sons were born, Geoffrey in 1979 (in New Jersey) and Jordan (in Hamilton) in 1985.

Music has always been an important part of Putter’s life. Growing up playing in bands from junior high school through seminary, he is a guitarist/mandolinist/singer-songwriter who still occasionally performs locally. He also practices architecture to a limited degree, having designed over 50 projects in the Hamilton area. He has been involved in several community projects and activities, including the Hamilton/Colgate chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Hamilton Young Life, Mid-York Little League, High School musicals, and the Earlville Opera House. Since Putter’s arrival in Hamilton he has been directly involved in campus ministry and since 2000 has been volunteer staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship on the Colgate campus. Beginning August 2009 he has also taken on the ministry of adjunct Protestant Chaplain at Colgate University.

Learn more about HBF * Back to HBF Homepage