Idys Waynne Cox

UTSA archaeologist dies after leukemia battle

(March 9, 2004)--Idys Waynne Cox, a research associate with the UTSA Center for Archaeological Research (CAR), died Thursday, March 4 at age 70 after a battle with leukemia.

Cox was an expert on acequias, or irrigation canals, built by early Spanish colonists in San Antonio and other areas of the Southwest. He had planned to publish a book on the topic.

According to a March 6 obituary in the San Antonio Express-News, Cox had done extensive excavation of historic sites in South Texas and conducted studies on the effects of water use by the Spaniards.

Cox worked at CAR since 1977 and was an archivist and historian, in addition to being an archaeologist. He was known by his middle name, often misspelled with one "n."

Cox served in the Air Force for 21 years before coming to UTSA and was a navigator on gunships in the Vietnam war. He was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service.

A native of Mineral Wells, Cox earned a bachelor's degree from North Texas State University in 1955 and took graduate courses in anthropology and history at UTSA. He is survived by his wife, Darla, and three sons, Mike, Jim and Kenneth David.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 11 at the Universal City United Methodist Church, 90 Winn Avenue, Universal City, 210-659-5555.  A reception will follow at the church. Burial will be at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. with full military honors. Arrangements are being handled by Schertz Funeral Home, 210-658-9224.

The family encourages donations in lieu of flowers to the following charities: Legacy Program - Hands on the Past, Center for Archaeological Research, UTSA, 6900 North Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, Texas 78249 or Las Misiones Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 28410, San Antonio, Texas 78228. Please make donations in behalf of Idys Waynne Cox.
 
The Legacy Program supports historical education for school children and other groups; Las Misiones supports restoration and preservation of San Antonio's historical missions.