Standiford Henry Cox

Standiford graduated from Brazil High School in 1953 where he was valedictorian of his class and was elected a member of the National Honor Society. He continued his education at Indiana University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry with honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic society.

Standiford had a thirty-two plus year career with Eli Lilly and Company and during the first couple years of employment obtained a Master’s Degree in organic chemistry from Butler University’s night school program. He began his employment with Lily as their first black chemist and then had a career in a variety of technical and non-technical assignments including the following; Organic Chemist; Manager, Pay and Benefits Operations; Personnel Manager; Lilly Research Laboratories; Personnel Director, Pharmaceutical Production Operations; Area Personnel Advisor, Lilly International; and last assignment, Director, Quality Control Laboratories.

He was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma (A professional chemistry fraternity), the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society (A 50 year plus member), the Chemist Club (New York City) and an Eagle Society Member of the Eiteljorg Museum. He was also a former board member of Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana.

In retirement, Standiford participated in Elderhostel (Road Scholar) educational travel programs, took cooking classes, and funded projects involving the restoration and preservation of African-American historical sites. He supported the restoration of Beech Church (Rush County), the last remaining structure associated with the oldest free black settlement, and identified by Indiana Landmarks as an “Endangered Place.”

Additionally, he was instrumental in obtaining 501©(3) federal tax exempt status for The Lost Creek Grove Restoration and Preservation Foundation, Inc. He continued to have an interest in and provide support for academic biochemical research. One of his greatest joys was the endowing of the Standiford H. Cox Professorship in Biochemistry at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

Standiford is survived by his brother Carl K. Cox (Gayle) of Zionsville, Indiana and sister Charlotte R. (Allen) Cox Greene of Indianapolis, Indiana along with nephews Joseph Chesnut of Westfield, Indiana, Donald Brown of Indianapolis, Indiana, Edward Chesnut of Laurel, Maryland, Eric Cox of San Diego California, Jenrick A. Cox of Indianapolis, Indiana,

and nieces Katrina Cox-Rivers of Indianapolis, Indiana, Jill M Alexander of Fishers, Indiana and long-time dear friend, Mary C. Brown of Lebanon, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his brother Chester A. Cox and sister Harriet V Brown.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in memory of Standiford H. Cox to Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana at 1635 W. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46222 or at www.goodwillindy.org/donate now.