Jerry Cox

1943 - 2025

Jerry Jones Cox, 81, of Mt. Vernon, KY died peacefully on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025. Jerry was married to his devoted wife, Vicki Carter Cox, for 59 years. He is survived by his son Stephen Douglas Cox (Allison) of Paris, KY, son Matthew Dane Cox of Mt. Vernon, KY and son Robert Aaron Cox (Sarah) of London, KY as well as several nieces and nephews. Jerry was known as Pa to his beloved grandchildren; Clayton Douglas Cox, William Douglas Cox, Catherine Lea Cox and Carter James Cox. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents William Henry Cox and Bernice Winifred (Snodgrass) Cox as well as his brother William Stephen Cox ("Billy Steve") and his twin Robert Lee Cox ("Buddy"). He is also survived by his sister in-laws Rae Cox and Shirley Cox.

Jerry was born in Madison County, KY on December 28th, 1943. He was a graduate of Berea College where he was a member of the varsity swim team. He was a graduate of the University of Kentucky Law School in 1968 and was drafted into the US Army following graduation to serve in Vietnam. Upon returning from his service, Jerry and Vicki settled in Mt. Vernon, where Jerry began his law career. Jerry served as a Trustee to Berea College and was active in leading state and national law organizations in addition to his service to clients and his community.

Jerry was the founding attorney of the Law Offices of Jerry J. Cox, PSC, and was certified as a Criminal Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He was a practicing criminal defense lawyer for over 50 years as well as a scholar and lecturer on numerous criminal law issues. He served as the 55th President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, President of the Kentucky Bar Association, Trustee of the Foundation for Criminal Justice and Chairman of the Kentucky Public Advocacy Commission. He was also a member of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Bar Association, and the Kentucky member of the NACDL Investment Committee and Long Range Planning Committee. As a testament to his career he received the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy's Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to criminal defense in 2002, the NACDL Lifetime Achievement Award and the President's Special Service Award from the Kentucky Bar Association in 2004. Jerry was appointed to the 28th Judicial Circuit Division 1 judgeship by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear in 2020.

Jerry was also a well-known swimming and running advocate and enthusiast. Jerry founded and coached the Cedar Rapids Country Club Swim Team for many years and instilled the love of exercise in many young people throughout the Rockcastle County. Once Jerry started his running habit, he was instrumental in building the running track at Rockcastle County High School. Jerry also initiated the annual Bittersweet 5K run in Rockcastle County and sponsored it for 20 years.

Jerry was quoted in a 2019 Mount Vernon Signal article about his devotion to fitness. "I had made a vow to myself to keep in shape and working for good health is a job." Jerry was passionately committed to this endeavor and ultimately reached his personal goal of running a full marathon in each of the 50 states and District of Columbia. He ran a total of 53 marathons. According to Jay Jacob Wind, the organizer of Jerry's last race in 2019, the Annual Potomac River Run Marathon in Maryland, "Jerry Cox set the world record for the oldest person to run marathons in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for the first time."

The family wishes to thank all of Jerry's caregivers and especially his best checkers buddies James Bullen and Audie Faulkner who brought him so much joy. Memorials may be made in Jerry's memory to Hospice Care Plus, 350 Isaacs Lane, Richmond, KY 40475.

Jerry was a true Kentucky gentleman who embodied the virtue of caring for his fellow man and woman, especially the underdog. He was a tireless champion of justice and the United States legal system. He honored relentlessly every oath he undertook to the many causes and organizations he served. His greatest oath was to his family, colleagues and clients. "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1.

Godspeed to our cherished Marathon Man.

A Celebration for the Life of Jerry Cox will be held Saturday, November 29, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon located at 340 Main Street, Mt. Vernon, KY. Jerry's family looks forward to welcoming everyone from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to honor and remember Jerry.