David Cox

1936 - 2024

David Cox
07/21/1936 - 07/05/2024
Born in Oakland, California; son to Mabel Regan Cox and Horace Gilbert Cox. Graduated from Oakland High School and UC Berkeley, where he was a member of Sigma Nu. Attended Hastings Law School. He went on to have a 40-year career with California Savings and Loan as a highly respected senior executive and Board Director, providing measured, honorable and humane leadership that helped successfully guide that institution through tumultuous periods in the S&L industry. A three-sport athlete in high school, Dave worked his way through college as a playground director for the Piedmont Recreation Department, serving as a role model for countless young athletes of all backgrounds and abilities. It was also on the playground where he met Joan Oliva, a fellow playground supervisor who would become his wife. They raised three children, David Jr., Dana and John, in Lafayette, where they resided for 61 years.
Yosemite was his favorite place, and he loved sharing it with family and friends throughout his life. He combined his love for sports and for community as Commissioner of the Lafayette Peanut League, a coach in Lafayette Moraga Youth Association baseball and softball leagues, and Co-Director of the County swim meet. During his retirement years, Dave traveled abroad and to Hawaii and loved spending time at his vacation home in Lake Almanor. He enjoyed weekly lunches with friends at Europa in Orinda, family gatherings, classic movies and music, and reading (mostly history and politics). He steadfastly supported the Cal Bears football team in victory and defeat. Dave generously and effectively guided so many friends and family with their financial and legal challenges over the years, seasoning his technical expertise and judgment with patience, compassion, and unerring common sense.
Dave is survived by his wife Joan of 62 years, his three children and their respective spouses: David and Melanie Cox; Dana and Tony Fenwick; and John and Stacy Cox, and seven grandchildren: Andrew (Jessica) and Brian (Anja) Cox; Grace, Frank and Eleanor Fenwick; and Dylan and Megan Cox. Dave is also survived by his sister Betty Ann Stanley, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A good life leaves behind seeds that keep on growing! Dave's stories, his values, his kindness, his understated sense of humor and aversion to pretension, and his love of family all continue to inspire and live on in us. What a wonderful legacy!
Details of any memorial service will be forthcoming. Gifts in memory of Dave may be made to Hospice East Bay (www.hospiceeastbay.org)