Lasting Memories

Bonnar (Bart) Cox
Feb. 2, 1924-April 3, 2012
Palo Alto, California

Bonnar "Bart" Cox, a lifelong resident of the Palo Alto area, died April 3, 2012, from cancer. He was 88 years old.

Bart came from Fresno to the Palo Alto area at the age of 3 with his father, Ross Cox, and his mother, Isabel Margaret Cox. Bart's father had been hired to lay out roads and building plots for the areas that would become the Felton Gables part of Menlo Park.

Bart attended schools in Menlo Park and Palo Alto and graduated in 1948 with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. His military service in World War II entailed duties in the European Theatre as a member of the 336th Signal Company, Army of the United States. His decoration and citations include the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.

In 1951, Bart married Barbara Ruth Stone, whom he had met in a church young-adult group. They were married for 50 years.

Bart was an early employee of Stanford Research Institute. He worked for over 40 years as an engineer and as executive managing projects that changed the world. These include the first successful computer-based banking system (IRMA), early robotics, the computer mouse, advances in medical and aerospace technology, and other areas that revolutionized technology.

Bart was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto for over 60 years. His participation included fund-raising and planning for the construction of a modern sanctuary in 1961; the selection, installation and maintenance of the two church organs; coordinating and running many committees as a lay leader; and singing bass in the church choirs for over 60 years.

While in the choirs, Bart, his brother James, and two friends formed an award-winning barbershop quartet, The Four Colonels of Corn, which was in great demand as a performing group in the San Francisco Bay Area. Later, he and his wife Barbara joined the San Jose Symphonic Choir, singing there for many years and touring in Europe and the U.K.

Bart was an avid sports fan. He was known as "Buzzbomb" Cox for his pitching skills, playing in area leagues. He was a rabid San Francisco Giants fan, and as a loyal Stanford Athletics fan he had season tickets for football and basketball from childhood until the time of his death.

Bart had many hobbies including fishing, camping, handy-man projects and music. As a boy he even built his family's first car from scraps found in junk yards. He loved puzzles of all kinds and never started his day without a cup of coffee and two crosswords.

Bart was preceded in death by wife, Barbara Ruth Cox, and brother, James. He is survived by his three daughters, two sons, 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place on May 19 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. Donations in his memory should be directed to the Organ Preservation Fund at the FUMC. A memorial website has been created at http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/bartcox.