Charles A. Cox

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Cox, Charles A., Sr. Passed away on December 8, 2013, in Fairfax, VA at the age of 90. Charlie was born January 6, 1923, in Minneapolis to Harold and Ethel Cox. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children Caryn, Chuck, David and Sarah (Randy); stepchildren Chuck (Claudette) and Chris (Nancy); 9 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. His sister Jane predeceased him. After graduating from Breck high school he entered the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, graduating in 1945 (Class of'46) with a degree in engineering. He served as a naval officer in both WWII and Korea. In the period between his military service he obtained a Master's degree in Journalism and worked as an editor at the Mpls Star & Tribune. In 1954 Charlie entered the U of M Law School. After graduation and admission to the bar he successfully practiced law for over 50 years. He served as the president of the then Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association and was an adjunct professor at the U of M. Charlie was highly respected by his colleagues, judges and clients. He always maintained a sense of humor about his work. This was typified by a picture displayed in his office. It showed a dragon leaning against a tree picking its teeth with a lance and armor strewn about. The caption read "Things my mother never told me. Sometimes the dragon wins." Charlie truly believed it was a privilege to be in the legal profession. Charlie was an avid pilot. He owned his own plane and flew often. He also enjoyed fishing, with trips to Canada among his favorites. On one trip he was forced to land in a Canadian bog and he and his companions spent three days standing on the plane before they were rescued. He particularly enjoyed cross-country skiing. He competed in, and finished, the Birkebeiner ski race at Telemark for 19 successive years. After retiring from the practice of law, he and his wife Barbara traveled extensively including a train ride across Siberia. One of Charlie's favorite phrases, and perhaps his greatest compliment, was "He's a good guy, and a good attorney too." The saying fit him to a tee. A remembrance will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2014, from 3 to 6 P.M. at the Fort Snelling Officers' Club, 395 Hwy 5 and Post Rd (across from the MSP airport) 612-767-1960.

Published on December 29, 2013