Phillip Arthur Cox

Phillip Arthur Cox, 53, of Indianapolis, departed this life early Saturday morning, January 9th, 2016, surrounded by his wife and children after a long battle with cancer.

Phillip was born on February 8th, 1962, to Herbert Allen and Marialice (Simpson) Cox in Poseyville, Indiana. He was a devoted husband, loving father, caring brother, doting uncle, and benevolent friend to countless people. He zealously and diligently dedicated his life to his family and as a volunteer in many capacities.

Like his father and older brother before him, Phillip achieved the highest rank in Boy Scouts of Eagle Scout, an award his son also earned. He graduated from North Posey High School in 1980, where he was an accomplished track and cross-country runner and an active member of the student council. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1984 from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He received his Certified Investment Management Analyst designation from the Wharton School of Business in 1998, and enjoyed a successful career as an investment manager. Most recently, he was the National Sales Director of Managed Accounts and Alternative Investments at Charles Schwab Advisor Services.

At IU, he began a lifelong relationship with his fraternal brothers as a member of the Indiana Beta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon. After graduating, he worked as Regional Director for his fraternity’s national office in Richmond, Virginia. He would continue to serve his fraternity for over 30 years in several roles, and in 2003 he was elected to Sig Ep’s National Board of Directors. In 2013, he was elected the fraternity’s 46th Grand President. As Grand President, he advocated tirelessly for the importance of alumni volunteering at the local chapter level, believing strongly that mentors are the backbone of a flourishing fraternity. Countless undergraduates at his alma mater chapter and across the country benefited from his generous mentorship and steady advice. Following the end of his two-year term as Grand President, Phillip was awarded the Order of the Golden Heart, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s highest award given for a lifetime of service. The national fraternity also subsequently established a new program in his honor, the Phillip A. Cox Volunteer Institute, signifying Phillip’s lifetime commitment to Sig Ep.

He also found time to be an ardent volunteer in his community. He served on both the Meridian Street Foundation Board and the executive committee of Midtown Indianapolis, Inc., organizations of which he was immensely proud to be a part.

Phillip is survived by the love of his life, Jane Blanchard Cox, his wife of 26 years; his twin children, Caroline and Phillip Cox, whom he adored; his mother Marialice Cox; his sister Patricia (Kent) Ayers and their children, Arlena and Austin; his sister Barbara (Walter) Boone and their children, Delana and Travis; his mother-in-law Rosemary Blanchard; his brother-in-law George (Sally) Blanchard III; and his sister-in-law Kathy Cox and her son, Jameson.

He was preceded in death by his father Herbert Allen Cox; siblings Alice, Ann and J. Allen Cox; and his father-in-law George Blanchard II.

A celebration of life will be held at Meridian Street United Methodist Church at 5500 N. Meridian St., Indpls., on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 11 a.m. with calling one hour prior. A reception will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Woodstock Country Club, 1301 W. 38th Street, Indpls. Following Phillip’s wishes, there will be a ceremony at the IU Sig Ep chapter house on a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts made to the Sigma Phi Epsilon Foundation (www.sigep.org/foundation) in his honor.