Dr. Ronald Frey Cox, 86, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 21, 2025.
He was born on Aug. 15, 1938, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the son of William J. Cox and Annetta L. Frey. He was a graduate of Lebanon High School class of 1956. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1956-1962. He went on to earn an AS from Harrisburg Area Community College, a BBA from Penn State University in 1969, and an MBA from Ohio University in 1971, and he completed doctrinal studies at the University of Texas in 1972 and the University of Connecticut in 1976, culminating in earning a PhD in leadership and organizational behavior from the United States International University in San Diego, California, in 1978.
He built the hospital management program at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida, taught in the hospitality department at Purdue University, Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island, United States International University in San Diego, California, and Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island. He also taught in London, England, Mexico City, Mexico, and Nairobi, Kenya. He was a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Hotel Administrator.
In 1988, he started his final hospitality program at New Mexico State University, from which he retired as the Hospitality Program Creator and Director in 2002 to return to his family roots in Pennsylvania.
He was awarded the Fabian Garcia Founders’ Award of Excellence by New Mexico State University College of Agriculture and Home Economics in 1992 and presented with the Meritorious Service Award upon his retirement in 2002.
Dr. Cox touched the lives of so many, was loved and admired by students and colleagues alike, and maintained correspondence with many through his retirement years. He will be sadly missed.
He was a member of the American Legion, Post 0945, and the National WWII Museum, a past member of the U.S. Navy Memorial, the U.S. Naval Institute, the VFW, the USO, and the NRA.
He was also a member of St. Cecilia’s and St. Mary’s Catholic churches in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, although he regularly attended Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, until his passing.
He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 28 years, Judith K. Cox; brother-in-law, David E. Reich (Donna), of Lebanon, Pennsylvania; daughter, Shanin N. Townsend (Luke); twin grandsons, Brody A. and Kaleb A. Townsend, of Wimberley, Texas; stepchildren, Bonnie R. Goshert-Brown (John), of Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania, Kevin M. Goshert, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and Raymond E. Goshert (Michelle); step-grandchildren, Jack M., Trevor S., and Grace B. Goshert, of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Elijah A. Goshert (Stephanie); and step-great-grandchildren, Ava M. and Jackson E. Goshert, of Reading, Pennsylvania.
He was preceded in death by his stepbrother, Robert Mills, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and step-grandchild, Kevin M. Goshert II, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
A military funeral will be held at Indiantown Gap National Veterans Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania, on May 22, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at Open Door Baptist Church, 875 Academy Dr., Lebanon, PA, at 12 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, send donations to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements.
Please share your memories with the family at the Thompson Funeral Home’s online guest book at thompsonfuenralhomelebanon.com.
