The Dead Minister Who Lived

In 1984, the sudden and inexplicable disappearance of Wesley Barrett Cox, a youth minister affectionately known as Barry, leaves the small town of Tuxedo, North Texas, and his family in San Antonio seeking answers that remain elusive to this day.

Barry Cox, Youth Minister, Missing 1984, San Antonio

Car Abandoned On Texas Road With Belongings Inside, Driver Missing

In July of that year, Barry's car, an Oldsmobile, was discovered abandoned by the side of a rural road. It had suffered damage to the windshields and windows, and inside the trunk were the keys and an empty beer can, which were oddly locked away. Men's clothing was left in the back seat, and Christian cassette tapes were scattered beside the car. Additionally, an empty wallet, which obviously belonged to Barry due to the identification inside, was found on the ground with its contents strewn about, though no cash remained.

Witnesses Reported Seeing a Man Matching Barry's Description Post-Disappearance, Suggesting Potential Injury or Disorientation

Barry was reportedly last seen on the night preceding the discovery of his car, at a gas station, where he procured empty jugs after his car had run out of fuel just two miles away. Witnesses described him as friendly, noting his blue helmet. An officer even recounted giving him a lift back to his vehicle before observing him head in the direction where the car would be later found.

Days after the disappearance, multiple individuals reported encounters with a man who resembled Barry. In one instance, two store clerks at a convenience store recalled selling sunglasses to a man with a taped-up nose, hinting at a possible surgery recovery. Another instance involved a man wearing a helmet similar to Barry's, who appeared injured, with a bandaged nose and black eyes, and who seemed bewildered, even attempting to overpay for an item at the store. Further sightings reported facial abrasions on Barry.

Barry Suspected Of Staging Disappearance; Family Hopeful for Abduction or Accident

Barry's family finds a glint of comfort in the witness accounts as they paint a picture consistent with Barry's kind-hearted nature, ev ...

In 2001, a man named James Simmons appeared, claiming to be Barry Cox, and captivated a Dallas congregation with his mysterious past and lost memories.

In 2001, James Simmons Claimed to Be Barry Cox With 16 Years of Lost Memories

James Simmons walked into the lives of the congregants at White Rock Community Church in Dallas as a new pastor with a captivating backstory. Claiming to be Barry Cox with over 30 years of lost memories, he intrigued and moved the people around him with his personal tale.

James Simmons, New Pastor of a Progressive Dallas Church, Captivated the Congregation With His Story Of Waking From a Coma With No Past Memory

Simmons shared with his congregation that he woke up from a two-week coma in a Memphis hospital with no recollection of his life before that point. He described being found unconscious in the trunk of a car in the summer of 1984, after a severe beating. With no past to hold onto, he said, he hitched a ride to Virginia, where he crafted a new identity for himself, taking on the name Simmons from a hardware store sign and the first name James after the New Testament.

Investigators Doubt James Simmons' Amnesia Claims Due to Discrepancies

Despite James's detailed account of the attack and coma that supposedly led to his amnesia, investigators found glaring inconsistencies in his story. Records from police departments, FBI field offices, and hospitals in Memphis show no documentation of Barry being found [restricted term] in a Tennessee junkyard. Furthermore, the fact that Barry, now James Simmons, had selected a name share ...

The sudden disappearance of Barry in 1984 and his unexpected reappearance in 2001 vastly affected his family, resulting in a cascade of changes for his wife, Beth, and their daughter, Talitha.

Barry's 1984 Disappearance Devastated His Wife Beth and Daughter Talitha

Barry's disappearance came at a time when his wife, Beth, was eagerly expecting his return from a doctorate program at Texas Tech University. Instead of the reunion she had anticipated, Beth received a distressing call from the sheriff about her husband's situation. This event dramatically altered the course of life for her and their daughter, Talitha, who was only six months old at that time.

In the wake of Barry's disappearance, Beth faced the daunting prospect of celebrating Talitha's first birthday alone. As she coped with the heavy burden of carrying on without Barry, it became clear that their established way of life was no longer sustainable. With this realization, Beth moved to California to be closer to family and seek their support.

As the years passed and Barry's absence became an unalterable reality, the impact of growing up fatherless took a toll on Talitha. Her unresolved anger regarding Barry's absence eventually led to the decision for her to attend boarding school. In 1991, Barry, who had been missing for several years, was legally declared dead. Consequently, Beth went through the process of dissolving their marriage, cementing the legal end to what was already a fractured family unit.

...

After reemerging from a mysterious disappearance, Barry faces a multitude of legal and social challenges as he fights to reclaim his identity and his estate.

Barry Faced Legal Hurdles Reclaiming Identity and Estate After Reappearing

Barry's return led him down a complex legal path as he struggled to settle disputes over social security fraud and inheritance.

Accused Of Illegally Using Another's Social Security Number, Unable to Prove Amnesia Claims

Barry found himself in hot water over identity issues after his reappearance. Reporters questioned him about using a stolen identity, which Barry chalked up to misunderstandings and a series of unfortunate events. He had originally obtained the social security number of another James Simmons, allegedly due to his landlady contacting Texas Tech University after picking up on his Texan accent. This case of mistaken identity unfolded further when Barry used the number for three years and later approached Congressman Norman Sisiski to request a new one—a detail Sisiski would not discuss. Moreover, contradictions emerged as Barry's narrative of receiving a new social security number through the FBI conflicted with the story he told his employers about seeking Sisiski's assistance.

Barry's Legal Resurrection: Court Battle With Ex-wife Over Inheritance

In a complex twist worthy of a legal drama, Barry filed an application to have his death certificate reversed and his estate's value restored. His ex-wife Beth had previously collected his inheritance to support their daughter, Talitha. The court battle that ensued could have led to Beth having to repay the estate, which she claimed would bankrupt her. Ultimately, the courts deci ...