Patrick Louis Cox 1954-2015

COX, DANZER, WITTENBEL, MUELLER

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 7/26/2017 at 09:19:38

HOUSTON — Patrick Louis Cox, a leading authority on special education and founder of the Atlantis Foundation for severely disabled children, died Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston at the age of 60.

Mr. Cox was born in Los Angeles on April 9, 1954, the son of Louis and Clara Cox. During his elementary school years, the family moved to Dubuque, where he attended Wahlert High School, and then earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Dubuque.

After graduating from the University of Dubuque, Mr. Cox moved to Texas, where he earned a master's in education from Texas A&M University (Commerce).

Soon after, he launched a distinguished career in special education, teaching and consulting at a variety of institutions, including the Elks Foundation's Diagnostic Center, the Lynne Development Center and the National Association of Autistic Citizens.

As part of his work for the National Association of Autistic Citizens, Mr. Cox spent two months in Port of Spain assisting the Autistic Society of Trinidad and Tobago. Upon his return, he became the executive director of Avondale Residential School in Houston.

From 1986 to 1988, Mr. Cox was a supervisor within the educational psychology department graduate program at the University of Houston.

During this period, Mr. Cox began a lengthy association with the state and county school systems of Texas. His consulting extended to independent schools districts and other state special education organizations as well.

While consulting for the state, Mr. Cox recognized an unmet need for housing and care for the most severely challenged autistic and special needs population. Rather than see children institutionalized, he argued that with proper training, they could be part of the community at large.

This spawned his idea of creating a foundation that would serve these people. And, in 1995, along with a close colleague, former NASA astronaut Tom Hennen, Mr. Cox opened the doors of the Atlantis Foundation. Both men used their personal funds to create this start-up.

Over time, the Atlantis Foundation grew from a fledging operation to an organization with a staff of 75 serving the needs of more than 200 children and adults. The foundation is alive and well today.

Mr. Cox was uniquely "wired" for special education. Whether in formal settings of a classroom or individually working with clients on new techniques of intervention, he was a master teacher and motivator.

Known affectionately as "KO" for his fighting prowess on the playground, Mr. Cox was an avid seaman and was often seen cruising the waters of Clear Lake and the Gulf of Mexico on his boat, "Why Me?"

Between houses, Mr. Cox lived on the boat, which nearly always stayed inhabited. Many friends in need lived on the boat rent-free, a gesture of his friendship.

Whether at work or play, Mr. Cox touched many souls. He was widely known for his generosity, compassion and good humor, especially around the euchre table with his DMF Club friends.

One close associate summed up Mr. Cox this way: "He taught all of us more about how to be a friend, how to forgive, how to show grace and how to love."

The family will hold a memorial service 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at Nativity Church (Dubuque), with the service beginning at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Atlantis Foundation, 13165 W. Lake Houston Parkway, #437, Houston, TX 77044, or http://theatlantisfoundation.org.

Survivors include a son, Alex, Lake Charles, La.; a daughter, Carmody, Virginia; two brothers, Chris (Liz), Bettendorf, and Tim (Lu), Dubuque; a sister, Mary Terese (David) Danzer, Dubuque; his significant other, Stephanie Woodword, Lake Jackson, Texas; and the following nieces and nephews: Sarah Cox, Brian Cox, Laura Wittenbel, Evan Cox, Hannah Cox, Willie Danzer, Joe Danzer; and two great-nieces, Kyra Mueller-Danzer and Willow Danzer.

Quad-City Times, The (IA) - Sunday, January 25, 2015