Duncan W. Cox died of pneumonia in Sacramento on March 9. He was 88.
Cox was born on Jan. 11, 1917 in Copperas Cove, Texas. He spent his youth there as well as in Dennison and Dallas, Texas. Cox was married to Marian Cannon on Oct. 26, 1940 in Kansas City, Mo. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945 and joined the LAPD in 1947. Cox retired in March 1973. He was also an agent for the Kansas City Life Insurance Company for a number of years.
Cox and his wife lived in Pacific Palisades from 1947 to 1973 and in Malibu from 1973 to 2002. He spent his final three years in Sacramento. Cox enjoyed playing tennis until he was 85, and he and Marian enjoyed going on cruises all over the world.
Cox donated his body for studies in medicine to UC Davis. This provides medical researchers with the tools that help them investigate new surgical and medical procedures, thereby directly helping future patients and doctors. After his body has been studied, the remains will be cremated and the ashes scattered at sea off the coast of San Francisco. A memorial has been installed at the medical school’s campus at UC Davis to serve as a perpetual reminder of those who have donated their bodies.
Cox is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marian; his son, Craig; daughter Cathee; daughter-in-law Carol; son-in-law Dennis; grandchildren C.J., Devin, Jennifer, and Tyler; sister, Jean and several nieces and nephews. Cox was preceded in death by three sisters, Ona, Audrey and Tommy Lou.