In loving memory of

Jesse Cox
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969

Jesse H. Cox, age 90 of Carmel, IN passed away May 12, 2008 at his residence. He was born on March 9, 1918 in Monticello, Utah to the late James Dow Cox and Zola Magruder Cox. Jesse was a member of the Capital City Masonic Lodge #310 in Indianapolis and a former board member of Haag Drug Company. He was the owned and President of J. H. Cox Manufacturing Company who owner Aero Drapery Company from 1946 to 1982. Jesse graduated from Indiana University in 1942. He developed Cox Hall Park and Gardens in Carmel and has donated the property to the Hamilton County Park District. He and his wife were long time benefactors of Indiana University donating money to build The Cox Pavilion located in The Cox Arboretum on 10th Street in Bloomington and also created the Jesse and Beulah Chanley Cox Scholarship Fund at Indiana University. Family and friends will gather on Friday May 16, 2008 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm in the Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel, 740 East 86th Street, with a remembrance service at 7:00 pm Friday. He was preceded in death by his wife Beulah Rose Chanley Cox and is survived by his nieces Catherine Copsy, Nina Cox Howard, nephews; James D. Cox, II, Charles E. Cox, and Jesse H. Cox. Great nephew; James D. Cox, III and many other great nieces and nephews also survive. You are invited to visit the website www.leppertmortuary.com where you may share a personal memory of Jesse, sign the guest book or make a memorial contribution to either, Cox Hall Garden Society c/o Hamilton County Parks, 15513 South Union Street, Carmel, IN 46033-9445 or Indiana University Foundation, Jesse & Beulah Cox Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 500, Bloomington, IN 47402


Tributes

Rick McKinney wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"The generosity of Jesse Cox as demonstrated by his gift of the land which became Coxhall Park and subsequent money to construct the Bell Towers cannot be valued in dollars alone. The quality of life in Hamilton County for tens of thousands has been improved and enhanced by his vision and love for others. "

Barbara Christner wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Jesse Cox was the most charismatic man my late husband and I have ever met! He and Beulah were truly wonderful people. I feel privileged that my husband and I had the opportunity to have known and worked with Mr. Cox. Through J. H. Cox Mfg. and Aero Drapery Co., Jesse brought together a wonderful "family" of people."

Cindi Curbeaux-Ford wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Jesse and family-My deepest sympathy and sincere thoughts are with you at this time. I was so glad to have had the opportunity recently to have met your uncle and view the gardens. It was indeed a pleasurable evening, and one I will always remember. He was a joy and the gardens inspiring. May your faith and knowing that others care carry you through this difficult time. God Bless-Cindi Curbeaux-Ford"

Amber Smallwood wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Mr. Cox will never truly know how much he means to me. As a Cox Scholar at IU Bloomington, I have had the opportunity of being able to focus more on my studies and worry less about how I would afford college, all because of his and Mrs. Cox's generosity. I am saddened that I never got to meet Mr. Cox, but I will always remember what he did for me. My sympathies go out to his family and friends."

Dave Cline wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

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Your Guardian Angel wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"My dearest Jesse: We had a special bond and you will always be in my heart. We shared many good memories, times, and travels. The last 2 months were difficult, but I loved you with all my heart and soul. God hold you close in His arms and hopefully you are now joined with Beulah. No more pain or worries. I hope to see you again in the afterlife. With all my affection and love."

Pat VanTryon wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"I worked at Aero Drapery ,for Mr. cox for 18years. He will be truely missed as was Aero drapery when it closed. He employed alot of people over the years. My sympathy to his family. The aero family. "

Nancy Crickmore wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"I worked for Jessie at Aero Drapery for 6 years. It was my first job. We were considered the Aero drapery family. That was 30 years ago. Alot of us still stay in touch and talk about the good old days at Aero drapery. He will be truely missed. My sympathy to his family.I now own my own drapery business. I have had it for 20 years now.For all you did Jessie may you rest in peace. You will be Sadly missed."

Michael Grubb wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

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Carol Swartz wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Our sorrow goes out to the family and friends. My gratitude personally too for the Cox Scholarship which assisted my oldest daughter, Lauren to be the best. My thank you's too for your safe haven of your park where my youngest daughter, Allanhyia, and I found a safe haven for over two years now. Your family is a fabulous example of what good can do for many. As well, Lauren--my Cox Scholar/Daughter--+sends her wishes to all from Ghana, where she is studying Social Work this semester. She could not be here today but wanted me to be her for her and say thank you."

Bob and Diana Lamb wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

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Floyd and Betty Bruder wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

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Jimmy & Amy Sandefur wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

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Christi Perkins wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"I am forever greatful for the generous contributions of Mr. Cox to the Cox Research Scholarship Fund at Indiana University. This scholarship has allowed me to realize my dream of pursuing a career in medical research. Having a family history of cancer and knowing two influential teachers who lost their lives to breast cancer, I hope to help other families affected by cancer through my supported research about the onset and progression of this disease. Jesse Cox's contributions will continue to live on through all of the students he has and will support through his fund."

Patty Craig McDaniel wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"I will always remember Uncle Jesse and his many many stories. He was Jesse James & his brother was Frank James. He knew so much about history that all of the children really believed his stories were true. I also will always remember Uncle Jesse & Aunt Boo singing while driving in a car. They had so much fun together. He could whistle better than anybody I have ever heard.The Chanley family will always remember Uncle Jesse and have fond thoughts of him."

Victoria Kingman wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"I wish I would have had the opportunity to know you in good health, for i am sure that you were a man of great leberality. Your intelligence and humor were non the less prevalent in your last days and your graciousness aprreciated. I hope you rest well now and and have comfort in knowing you have touched peoples lives for the better."

Steve Bursten wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"Jesse Cox was an inspiration to us all. His brilliant mind and visionary imagination created an industry leading business. Through his help we developed a national organization of more than 1000 decorators and will never forget the part Jesse played by his perfect touch of helping a little, but assuring that we did our part to get the job done"

Johanna Lipp wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"About two months ago, I received a letter from Indiana University that informed me that I am one of the few fortunate Cox Research Scholars. I do not think I was ever so excited, honored, and grateful in my life. Now I found out that it was only possible for me to take my prom pictures with my friends in the Coxhall Gardens, about 5 minutes from my house, due to Mr. Cox's generosity. It saddens me that I never had the opportunity to thank him for every wonderful way that he impacted my life, although I lived so close to him. My condolences go to all who feel this loss even more so than I do, without ever knowing him. "

James Kneisley wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"A very remarkable and honorable man--Jesse Cox. I was his banker in the 70's and served for a time on the company board of directors. His exceptional corporate stewardship was equalled by his ability to manage his investments.We discussed his plan to build a replica of the Governor's Palace at Williamsburg, and he thought he might build Mount Vernon and Monticello too. I asked him what he and his beloved Beulah eventually would do with the property, and he said they might give it to their community. And thirty years later, that is what the generous Cox's did. All who have known Jesse and Beulah are better for the experience as are all who will be touched by their charity."

The Weisgerber Family wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"We are frequent visitors to Coxhall Gardens, and on every visit we say. "God bless Mr. and Mrs. Cox for giving us this beautiful park!" We finally got to thank Mr. Cox in person when his dogs got loose last year and ended up on our doorstep, and when we returned them to him, we were so excited to tell him how much his generous gift of the park meant to us. We got to have a wonderful conversation with him on a beautiful spring day, and he was so vibrant and interesting. Oh, the kindness of strangers! May Jesse and Beulah be in the beautiful gardens of Heaven with God at this very moment! God bless them both."

Rhonda Curry wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"My sympathies to the family of Mr. Cox. You have lost a wonderful man. My father, Russel Curry, began working at Aero Drapery Co. in 1948, the year I was born. That was the beginning of their lifelong friendship. I have many fond memories of Mr. and Mrs. Cox at our home in the 1950s, playing games with my siblings and me. We always looked forward to their visits. In 1958, my father opened the first branch of Aero Drapery in Louisville. He remained with the company until 1982. Through the years, my parents enjoyed so many good times with their cherished friends, Jesse and Beulah. In recent years, I had been exchanging Christmas cards with Mr. Cox. I always expressed the wish to him that I would make it up to Carmel to visit him and see his home, modeled on the Williamsburg Palace, which he built just about the time I was graduating from William and Mary in Williamsburg. Sadly, I delayed too long. I will always have special memories of Mr. Cox. "

Mark and Donna Keenan wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"I worked for Jesse for over 20 years, beginning by helping remodel 2 homes he had purchased with a farm in Lebanon, IN. in 1965. He then put me to work at Aero. He was an awesome mentor for lots of employees. It was fun to observe his operation, especially with Bob Crews and Bernie Peckler as his right and left hands. I still remember those days as the most fun in my occupational career."

Sandy Fox wrote on Nov 13, 2012:

"It's funny, I knew Mr. Cox for only a very brief specific period of time and yet he has had such a profound affect on me. He would come in to our office with his handwritten speeches, mostly concerning the land he was donating for Coxhall Gardens, and I would type them up. He would tell me such wonderful stories about his wife and their life together. He was an inspiration to me of what it is to marry the love of your life and to cherish all your moments. They gave so much of themselves and I'm sure that they are still missed."