John Joseph Cox Jr.

A devoted husband, father, brother, veteran, and public servant, John dedicated his life and career to protecting and serving others. He will be remembered most for his quick wit, impish personality, and remarkable ability to make everyone around him laugh.

John was born on September 14, 1958, in Norfolk, Virginia, to John Joseph Cox, Sr., and Louisa Vera Cox. He got his first taste of public service while serving as a police cadet during his high school summers. After graduating as Class President and Salutatorian of James Barry-Robinson High School, John earned his Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management from Old Dominion University in 1980. The irony of John holding a degree in Human Resources was never lost on the friends who knew him best.

His first job after college was in JCPenney's Executive Training Program. He never imagined his job would entail buying Wilton Cake Pans for the housewares department. It is also where he met his first wife, Marion Griffin. They were married from 1982-1989 and had a beautiful daughter, Ashley Lauren Cox.

John joined the U.S. Army in 1982, ultimately achieving the rank of First Lieutenant in the 2nd Armored Division. Honorably discharged in 1985, he immediately joined the City of Carrollton (Texas) Police Department. After serving 28 years, he retired as Commander in 2014, stating it was “the best job I could ever have.”

John met his lasting love, Laura Ann Venincasa, on a blind date in 1992, and they married in July 1995. They established their home in Coppell, Texas. If opposites attract, their love for each other could only be compared to neodymium magnets, the strongest of rare-earth magnets. John made Laura laugh every day and ensured she was always surrounded by his love, adoration, friendship, support, and devotion.

Raising his daughter, Ashley, is John’s proudest accomplishment. Their daily texts, calls, or FaceTime conversations almost always ended with “GNBLFY” (Got nothing but love for you). He shared a special bond with his brother Tony and sister Andrea – a bond that grew even stronger in adulthood as all three pursued careers in law enforcement. “We’ve got your back” was the siblings’ enduring promise to each other. John also adored his parents and grew especially close to Laura’s parents, whom he loved as his own.

John loved the water, cruising to tropical islands, and vacationing on the beach, especially the Outer Banks. Known as the Duck Whisperer, John could often be found rescuing ducklings from the pond behind his house and feeding flocks of seagulls along the shore. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of history, particularly World War II, and could recite the details of virtually every piece of military equipment and weaponry. He also loved fishing, motorcycles, bicycling, and skeet and target shooting. Above all else, John found joy in making people laugh.

He is survived by his beloved wife Laura Cox; his cherished daughter Ashley Cox; brother Philip “Tony” Cox and his wife Mary; sister Andrea Cox and her husband Keith Stewart; brother-in-law Michael Venincasa, MD, and his wife Andrea; brother-in-law Mark Venincasa, DDS, and his wife Lisa; former wife Marion Higgins and her husband Carter; and 10 nieces and nephews and 3 great-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents John Cox, Sr., and Louisa Cox; parents-in-law Lou and Geri Venincasa; sister-in-law Patrawan Venincasa; and nephew Matthew Venincasa.

A visitation for John will be held on Monday, June 29, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM with family and friends invited to share memories beginning at 7:00 PM at Rolling Oaks Funeral Home, 400 Freeport Pkwy, Coppell, TX 75019. A Funeral Mass, followed by a reception, will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM at All Saints Catholic Church, 5231 Meadowcreek Dr. Dallas, TX 75248, with a private interment to follow.

A livestream will be available for those wishing to participate in the Mass remotely.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the PKD Foundation at PKDCure.org.