RALPH HORACIO COX

03/12/1967 - 07/29/2023

Ralph Horacio Cox, 56, died the evening of July 29, 2023 after a being hospitalized for several weeks for a previously undiagnosed medical condition. Ralph was a native Houstonian and a graduate of several of the magnet programs through the Houston Independent School District, including from the High School for Engineering Professions (Booker T. Washington High School). Ralph attended the University of Houston main campus taking classes in engineering, computer sciences, math and science before graduating with his BS in physics.

While attending UH, Ralph worked as a Laboratory Technician with the Space Vacuum Epitaxy Center [SVEC] (now The Center for Advanced Materials). During the period Ralph was at SVEC, he worked on the Wake Shield Facility [WSF] which was a joint project with SVEC’s industrial partner, Space Industries, Inc. The purpose of the WSF was to grow thin films in a near perfect vacuum created by the wake of the satellite as it moved through space. Through SVEC, Ralph was involved with the first two shuttle launches of the WSF on STS-60 (1994) and STS-69 (1995). In addition, during STS-69 Ralph was one of the SVEC representatives in NASA’s Mission Control during the shuttle flight.

During college and for many years after, Ralph was an avid bike rider. He would use his bicycle for transportation whenever possible. He also enjoyed taking long bike rides away from Houston and participating in group bike riding events

In 1997, Ralph went to work in industry focusing on the manufacturing of crystals and wafers before returning to software and web application development. In 2004, Ralph made the decision to change his career path and become a high school teacher; the same career as his father. Ralph worked in schools within HISD before taking a fully remote teaching position in 2022. During his summers, Ralph would participate in labs, seminars and workshops at Rice University or other institutions.

Ralph was not satisfied to limit himself to only scientific endeavors. He nurtured his artistic side with his photography and writing. For over a decade, Ralph would take yearly trips to Santa Fe where he would spend the days walking and taking photographs and the evenings writing. He thought very highly of the Santa Fe Opera company and venue with its open-air design. Ralph regularly checked the schedule of shows so he could decide when to go back to Santa Fe and see his preferred operas.

Ralph appreciated and supported live performance events throughout his life from concerts at the Mucky Duck to the Kerrville Music Festival. As soon as in-person activites started up after the shutdown, Ralph attended events at Miller Outdoor Theater and Houston Dash games until the indoor venues started to open. He regularly went to productions at Main Street Theater, Houston Ballet, Stages Repertory Theatre, Theater Under the Stars, Houston Grand Opera and events with Performing Arts Houston and the Progressive Forum.

Ralph had dual citizenship of both the United States and Colombia (birth country of his mother). Over the last decade he had reestablished close connections with Colombia and with family members and the many individuals he regarded as family. As often as he was able, Ralph would travel to Colombia to spend time with them. He enjoyed the lifestyle and food in Colombia, especially the fresh dairy products from Ubatè, the homemade arepas and the flavorful avocados.

Ralph is predeceased by his mother, Lucrecia Correa Cox, his father, Kemble Cox, and his grandparents. He is survived by his two sisters, Sue and Gigi, his friends and other family members.

A remembrance event with refreshments celebrating Ralph’s life will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin St., Houston, on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in Channing Hall. For those individuals attending this event, please check the church’s website for parking information.

In lieu of flowers, the family and friends of Ralph request that donations be made in his memory to: Pen America (https://pen.org/issue/free-the-books/); The Houston Food Bank (donation information at https://secure.houstonfoodbank.org/); Friends of BARC (https://friendsofbarc.org/); or the World Central Kitchen (donation information at https://wck.org/).