David St. L. Cox, passed on to his eternal home on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth. He was born to the late Dorothy True Cox Walker Green and Preston F. Cox, on March 7,1939, in Providence, RI.
David’s “dash”, 1939-2026, overflowed in his 87 years, beginning with summers spent on Newport, RI, Hampton, and Maine beaches or at Lake Attitash. At the former Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield, MA, he enjoyed traveling to Glee Club performances and played multiple sports, excelling in Lacrosse. His desire to travel west to attend college with friends brought him to Ohio Wesleyan University where, as a freshman, he was tapped to teach Lacrosse. After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, he earned a master’s degree in psychology and vocational counseling from Kent State University, while creating a department of vocational rehabilitation at Hawthornden State Hospital, where patients were trained for a trade to use upon discharge. In 1970, he became the youngest 648 Board Director in the state of Ohio when he became the Executive Director of the Summit County Mental Health and Retardation Board. During his tenure, every Mental Health levy passed, ensuring necessary funding to meet the growing service needs of the community.
During this same time, as a reenactor in the Revolutionary War 5th Virginia Regiment, he was invited to coordinate the technical setup for cannons for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s recording of the 1812 Overture at Blossom Music Center. Conductor Eric Kunzel gave David the honor of 1st Gun for his 1st cannon shot on the Telarc recording, which can be found on YouTube. His family often joined him at reenactments at Hale Farm in Summit County. Other reenactments with his cannon took him to Newport, RI, Indiana, Ohio, and the bicentennial celebration of the Battle of Yorktown led by President Reagan on October 19, 1981. While still collecting cannons, he began collecting unique kites, traveling to International Kite Festivals to break kite-related Guinness World Records.
After more than two decades in mental health administration, David completed his 41 years in mental health service as a psychologist and Clinical Director at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility. With the move to Portsmouth, he enjoyed boating between Franklin Furnace and Cincinnati with friends. Throughout his life, anyone who made his acquaintance would affirm that he truly enjoyed life. More than enjoyment, in the last 15 years, he derived great joy supporting his wife’s Operation Christmas Child’s efforts by folding thousands of shoeboxes to be lovingly packed at Cornerstone Methodist Church and SSU packing parties and at home.
David requested the inclusion of this in his obituary: “Anything David did in his life which may have appeared to lack in virtue was simply because his joie de vivre reflected how he was taught early in life not to waste the short time we are allowed on this earth. Any impatience with others or even himself was most likely because he was concerned time could be running short. What he wanted most of all was to share his excitement with others.”
Surviving are his loving wife and supporter of all his dreams for 42 years, Gaylene Vossick St. Leger Cox, and his fabulous felines, Montgomery Dervishshire Chatsworth and Olympia (Pia) St. L. Cox.
Also surviving are his children, Steven St. L. Cox (Chantal Ergh) of Akron, and Julie (Phillip) Thrash of Cincinnati; and two grandsons, Evan St. L. Cox, and Connor St. L. Cox.
In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by two sisters, Carrie Eckert and Judith Cadillek.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth with Rev. John Gowdy officiating.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5-7P.M. and one hour prior to services on Wednesday.
The SOCF Honor Guard will provide a funeral detail and rites.
Memorial contributions may be made in David’s honor to Operation Christmas Child at samaritanspurse.org/occ, and Sierra’s Haven for New & Used Pets at sierrashaven.org.
