Donald Paul Cox

Donald Paul Cox (also known as Don, Donnie, Daddy, and PawPaw) was born on September 24, 1952, in Houston, Texas, to Harley and Viola Cox.

Don graduated from Waltrip High School in 1971 and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Finance from Sam Houston State University in 1975.

Don grew up in Oak Forest in Houston, where he developed a lifelong love of sports. He played baseball, and although he never played basketball, he became an avid Houston Rockets fan and was a season ticket holder for 40 years. He especially cherished taking his father to all four NBA Championship series and sharing many games over the years with his children.

Don often said and truly believed, "I have been blessed with the best." Those blessings began with his four children Cayla, Cody, Conner, and Courtney along with his wife, Lili; his stepchildren, Monique and Ryan; and his beloved grandchildren, whose cries of "PawPaw, PawPaw!" melted his heart. Another great joy in his life was traveling with his in-laws and close companions, Boby and Lil.

Don began his career at JCPenney as a stockboy in 1968 and went on to build a successful career in management. His final position with JCPenney was District Merchandiser before leaving in 1984 to pursue a career in financial management. In 1989, Don founded Cox Global Associates, a successful business that continues today under the leadership of his son, Cody Cox.

In 1983, Don fulfilled a longtime dream by purchasing his grandparents' homestead in Weimar, Texas, and establishing a cattle operation known as Cox Excalibur Red Brangus, which remains in operation today. Cox Excalibur has sold CX genetics into 11 countries worldwide. Don was one of the original founders of the International Red Brangus Breeders Association in 1991, serving on its Board of Directors from 1991 to 2025 and as president for three years. Throughout his cattle career, he was honored with numerous awards, including Breeder of the Year, Pioneer of the Year, Herdsman of the Year, and the Jake White Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.

Don was elected president of the International Brangus Breeders Association in 2010 after serving as chairman of numerous committees and as Treasurer/Secretary of the association. He also served on the Board of Directors for eight years and was a member of the original World Brangus Committee that launched the Congress in 2000 in Houston, Texas.

Don moved to Katy in 1992 and became deeply involved in the community. He served as Chairman of City Elections, President of Katy Management District 1 for 30 years, and a member of the Charter Review Committee. Don believed strongly in the importance of community involvement.

Don lost his battle with pancreatic cancer after a courageous fight that included two years and 25 rounds of chemotherapy. His strength and faith were admirable, as he continually thanked God for healing. Ultimately, God healed him by calling him home to Heaven. Don loved and cherished his family throughout his journey and touched countless lives through his kindness, humor, generosity, and unwavering commitment to God and family. He was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed. His legacy of faith and love will live on through all who were blessed to know him.

Don's survivors include Lili Cox, Cayla Cox, Cody Cox, Courtney Cox, Conner Cox, Martha Cox, Bonnie Cox, Jason and Kat Pittman, Madeleine and Luke Pittman, Patrick and Monique Connor, Finleigh and Declan Connor, Ryan and Stephanie Coolman, Marley-Ann Coolman, and Julian Canovas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harley P. Cox and Viola Cox.

Pallbearers will be David Brown, Fred Sembera, Larry Kristynik, LaRue Coleman, Pete Keeling, and Fred Ormiston.

A visitation will be held Thursday, February 5, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Schmidt Funeral Home, Grand Parkway. Funeral services will take place Saturday, February 7, at 2:30 p.m. at Schmidt Funeral Home, Grand Parkway, with Pastor Jason Robinson officiating, followed by burial and a reception at Cox-Krejci Cemetery, located at 2316 IH-10, Weimar, Texas 78962.