David Ralph Cox

Cox - David Ralph Cox, age 73, of Knoxville, passed on Monday, May 30, 2011 knowing that he is in the hands of God the Creator and his son Jesus Christ. He was surrounded by his loving family. Preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Paul and Helen Warwick Cox, he is survived by his loving wife of forty-four years, Judith Barton Cox, daughters and sons-in-law, Elisabeth and Jerrod Gaertner; Kathryn and Nathan Woodall; sister, Margaret Cox; brothers and sisters-in-law, Doug and Babette Cox and Steve and Christy Cox; grandchildren, Piper and Sydney Woodall and Ryn and Gavin Gaertner. Special thanks to his friend Dr. John Stancher. The outpouring of love and support from family and friends has been a great comfort. David was a member of First Baptist Church Knoxville for more than sixty years and he loved the Shalom Sunday School Class. He was a graduate of West High School and the University of Tennessee and served in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. Insurance licensed as a college student in 1958, he established D. R. Cox & Company Insurance Agency in 1967, which has grown to be a respected Aviation Insurance specialty firm. He enjoyed working alongside his daughter and son-in-law, and treasured his many friends in the aviation community. David had been a licensed pilot since 1959 and loved flying his Piper J-3 Cub and maintaining his private grass airstrip. Besides aviation, his greatest passions were spending time with his many close friends and family, especially his grandchildren, who nicknamed him “Dee,” sharing his faith through words and deeds, and always finding ways to help others. His caring spirit and sense of humor impacted everyone he encountered. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 3, 2011 from 4:00-6:00 pm with a celebration of life immediately following in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church Knoxville, 510 W. Main St., Knoxville, TN 37902. The interment service will be private. In lieu of flowers you may make donations in his honor to the Helen W. Cox Music Scholarship Fund, First Baptist Church Knoxville, 510 W. Main St., Knoxville, TN 37902. Online condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

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David Ralph Cox

September 18, 1937 - May 30, 2011