David Kelly Cox, 82, of Lancaster, passed away on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Walker's Trail Senior Living Center in Danville. Born on October 21, 1943, he was a son of the late Judge Henry Clay Cox and Lucy Walker Cox.

David received his undergraduate degree from Centre College and his master's degree from the University of North Carolina in English literature. His life's work was teaching at Garrard County High School, where he formed numerous lifelong relationships with his students. He was an avid reader who amassed over 20,000 volumes during his lifetime and traveled to more than 100 countries. He dearly loved children, especially his grandnieces and grandnephews: Landen, Reece, Ione, Paxton, Gabriel, Kash, Henry, and Lucy.

Survivors include his brothers, Jimmy (Pattie) Cox of Lancaster and Bradley (Marguerite) Cox of Charlottesville, Virginia; his sister, Patsy (Darrell) Robinson of Shelbyville; and his nieces and nephews, Hillary Cox-Vanoy (Zach Simpson), Ean Whitney (Greg) Mason, Daria Robinson (John) Hess, Jaime Robinson (Jeff and daughter Loren) Roby, Darrell Christopher Robinson, Candace Robinson (Lee) Cottle, Kelly Cox (and son Luke), William Akenbrandt, Brian Akenbrandt, Karen Akenbrandt, Erin (Jon) Meyer, Josh (Ana) Pendegrist, and Heidi Collins.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the funeral service begins at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Ramsey-Young Funeral Home in Lancaster. Pallbearers include Jeff Hester, David Joe Simpson, John Hess, Jeff Roby, Chris Robinson, Lee Cottle, Zach Simpson, and Greg Mason. Burial will follow in Lancaster Cemetery.

Friends and family may share memories or leave condolences on his tribute wall at www.ramsey-young.com (http://www.ramsey-young.com/). Ramsey-Young Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.