Dennis Raymond Cox

Dennis Raymond Cox, 78, most recently of Staunton, VA, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Dennis was born in Lubbock, TX, on May 29th, 1942 to Raymond E. Cox and Elizabeth (Templeton) Cox. As a teenager, he moved with his family to Tucson, AZ. There he attended Tucson High School, where he excelled in Oration and Debate as president of the Speech Club. In Tucson, he also met his future wife, Janet Jordan, through church.

Dennis attended Harding College in Arkansas in 1960-1961. He returned to Tucson and subsequently finished his undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona in 1963. While at both schools, he continued to attend tournaments around the country, winning awards for Speech and Debate. Dennis and Janet were married in Tucson in 1962.

Dennis received a Woodrow Wilson fellowship in 1963 to pursue a post-graduate degree in Economics from Stanford University. Dennis and Janet moved to the San Francisco area, where Janet worked to support them while Dennis studied. He completed his Master’s degree in 1965. The couple subsequently moved to Washington, D.C. and Dennis took a job as an Economist for the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis.

After one year, Dennis and Janet returned to Tucson, where Dennis worked as a professor of Economics at the University of Arizona from 1967 to 1972. During those years, Dennis also completed his PhD in Economics from Stanford University. Dennis and Janet had daughters, Kara and Lara, during this time in Tucson.

In 1972, the young family moved to Arlington, VA. From 1972 to 1981, Dennis worked as a Financial Economist and then Deputy Director (Depreciation Economics) for the Department of the Treasury, Office of Industrial Economics. Dennis and Janet welcomed their son, Warren, in 1981.

Also in 1981, Dennis’ department was transferred under the Internal Revenue Service, where he became Chief, Compliance Analysis Group. From 1991 to 1994, he was Chief, Statistical Methods Group and from 1994 to 2001, he was Chief, Economic Analysis and Modeling Group. He spoke at many Economic and Tax conferences and seminars around the world. He was a member of the American Economic Association, as well.

After retiring in 2001, Dennis spent several years consulting for the Government of the District of Columbia, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Revenue Analysis. Dennis and Janet spent most of their retirement years in Palmyra, VA. They moved to Staunton, VA in 2017.

Dennis was an avid reader of history and current events. He also loved listening to classical music, playing tennis, and watching baseball and college basketball (UofA Wildcats!). He was known for his dry humor and biting wit.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Janet, who died in March 2020. He is survived by children, Kara Nelson, Lara Velardi (son-in-law Robert), and Warren Cox; sister, Carolyn (brother-in-law Phil), brother, Dale (sister-in-law Mickey), and brother-in-law Larry Jordan; grandchildren, Stephen, Montana, and Savannah; nieces and nephews, Douglas, Lisa, Wyatt, and Sedona; and very close family friends, Tiziana and Lionel.

Due to the wide geographic dispersal of friends and family, and COVID-19, there will be no public services. Those desiring may make a Memorial Donation to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) at jdrf.org. Dennis has been entrusted to the care of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, where he will be cremated. As was their wish to be buried near their parents, Dennis and Janet will be interred together in Tucson at a future date.