Jan Cox

News Obituary Article

STONE MOUNTAIN: Jan Cox, 67, philosopher

By HOLLY CRENSHAW

Jan M. Cox was a philosophical tour guide who led his followers on a jolly romp through the unexplored recesses of their own minds.

The author and lecturer conducted "neurological field trips," said Wanda Cooley of Pine Lake, who started attending his talks in the 1970s.

"People often called Jan an entertainer of ideas, and if you saw his TV show or read his books, you'd understand that he had a different way of looking at life," Ms. Cooley said. "His real legacy is the activation of the higher parts of our nervous system, but he brought humor to everything and never took life too seriously."

Mr. Cox, 67, of Stone Mountain died Nov. 5 of cancer at Emory University Hospital. The body was cremated. No service is planned. A.S. Turner & Sons is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Cox's philosophical musings, which will continue to be updated on his Web site at www.jancox.com, defy easy paraphrase but generally urge a more fully conscious approach to life.

A former carpenter and musician, Mr. Cox practiced law and served as dean of Atlanta's now-defunct Columbia Southern School of Law before devoting most of his energy to writing and lecturing. He sold audiotapes and videos of his talks, which air on public access television as "New Intelligence With Jan Cox." His books feature tantalizing titles such as "The Death of Gurdjieff in the Foothills of Georgia," "And Kyroot Said" and "Magnus Machina," described as "a travelogue to the dangerous edge of objective instability."

In 1970, the then 32-year-old Mr. Cox mounted an unconventional campaign for governor of Georgia, which baffled political pundits. He issued press releases on pastel-colored paper, occasionally spoke in riddles and always deflected personal questions, a practice he kept up his whole life.

"He wasn't out there trying to reshape the world, and he certainly wasn't out to win," said Derek Hardison of Con-yers, an adherent of Mr. Cox's philosophy. "He saw people walking around mechanically who suspected they could be something else, and he wanted those people to be able to find him. And if you want statewide attention, qualifying for a primary might possibly be the least expensive avenue there is."

Peter Kagel of Atlanta was part of a theater troupe that performed at several venues, including Evotek in Buckhead and OK Alright in Decatur.

"The theater was part of Jan's Merry Pranksters approach to doing things you wouldn't normally do," Mr. Kagel said. "It was a very rewarding experience, contemplative and meditative and wild and wacky all at the same time.

"Jan was a very talented person --- musically, intellectually. He was wise, he was energetic, he was forceful and zestful and relentless. He talked three nights a week and wrote every day and was involved in what he was doing 110 percent," Mr. Kagel said.

"In some respect, he made himself as unlikable as possible so people didn't lean on him and would focus more on his ideas. He certainly wasn't going to be your pal in the traditional sense. He could be endearing and he could be detestable. He was many different things, and that's what made him so unusual."

Survivors include two sons, Troy Jan Cox of Lawrence-ville and Tracy Marvin Cox of Douglasville; a brother, Jere lan Cox of Acworth; and three grandchildren.

> Read more about Jan Cox's ideas at www.jancox.com

© 2005 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution