Justin “Jack” Cox, known for his work as a writer and editor for EAA’s Sport Aviation magazine and his own Sportsman Pilot quarterly, died on Sunday at a hospital near his home in Asheboro, N.C. He was 77 years old. Cox worked for EAA from 1970 until his retirement in 1999, serving as editor-in-chief of publications as well as a frequent contributor to Sport Aviation. Cox and his wife, Golda, who also worked for EAA, flew together to many aviation events around the U.S., conducting interviews and writing articles. In 1981, the couple began publishing Sportsman Pilot, a quarterly aviation magazine, which they continued until this year.
Cox received many awards during his writing career, including induction into the EAA Vintage Aircraft Association Hall of Fame and the EAA Homebuilder’s Hall of Fame. In 1986 he received an award from the Aviation/Space Writers Association for an article on the around-the-world flight of the Voyager. At EAA, he helped to launch the Antique/Classic Division, now the EAA Vintage Airplane Association. He created the division’s own monthly publication, The Vintage Airplane, and served as its first editor. Cox received his pilot’s certificate in 1963 and over the years he and his wife owned and flew eight different aircraft. In compliance with Cox’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service.
