David Warren Cox died suddenly on Monday, July 10, 2017, at Mass General Hospital, Boston, Mass., where he was surrounded by his family. A resident of Amelia Island and a summer resident of Nantucket, Mass., a private service celebrating his life was held at his Madaket home on July 13.
David was born on August 24, 1935, in Cleburne, Texas, to Jesse Lee and Jessica Beckner Cox. After spending his childhood in Dallas, David graduated from Thomas Jefferson School, St. Louis, Mo., 1952; Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., 1956; and Harvard Business School, Boston, 1958.
David began his career working for IBM and United Fruit Company in Boston. Upon moving to Raleigh, N.C., in 1972, he joined Cotton Incorporated, where he became a director and senior vice president, finance. By now an agribusiness expert, at the age of 50, David started his own business, Intelligent Decisions, Inc., which computerized the cotton industry worldwide. Upon retirement, David invested in people and adventures and developed an entrepreneurial flair in commercial real estate.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Fredrika Van Vleck Cox; daughters, Cary Beckner Cox, Portland, Maine, and Sarah Cox Nunnally, Raleigh, N.C.; five grandchildren, Rachel Hart, Samuel Miles and Matthew Clark Nunnally, Margaret Howe and Graham Van Vleck Cox. David is also survived by his sister-in-law, Nancy Van Pelt Cox; sister-in-law, Barbara Van Vleck; brother-in-law, Theodore Holt Chase; six nieces and nephews; and 13 great-nieces and nephews. David was predeceased by his son, David Van Vleck Cox, and daughter-in-law, Margaret White Cox, both of Weston, Mass.; and brother, William Lee Cox, Greenville, S.C.
As a recipient of a generous benefactor, David attended Thomas Jefferson School. In 2001, David endowed a scholarship in memory of his son. Each year, the David Van Vleck Cox Scholarship provides full tuition for one boarding student. Donations may be made in memory of David to The Cox Family Memorial Scholarship, c/o Thomas Jefferson School, 4100 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63127.