Everly Cox helped shape Kirkland's growth

There was never anything loud or flashy about Ev Cox. He was the quiet guy, the reserved leader who knew how to get things done.

As a World War II pilot, he brought his men home safe after missions in the South Pacific. For decades as an educator in the Lake Washington School District, he hired staff and oversaw the openings of new schools during the Eastside's first population explosion.

And later, as a member of both the Kirkland City Council and the local Rotary Club, he helped shape his city's future growth.

"He saw the city as something that needed to work for everybody," said his son, David Cox, of Bellevue. "He just plain believed in public service — that it's your responsibility to serve your community and your country."

Mr. Cox died July 2 at Evergreen Hospice in Kirkland. He was 88 and had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about five years ago.

Everly Cox was born in Wapato, Yakima County, on March 31, 1920, and grew up on a farm near Ellensburg. After graduating from high school in 1938, he attended the college that is now Central Washington University. When the U.S. entered World War II in 1941, Mr. Cox put his studies on hold and joined the Navy. He ultimately became an aircraft commander with the VP-71 squadron, piloting PBY Catalina planes — known as "Black Cats" for their black paint and night missions.

After he came home from the war, Mr. Cox served as a Navy flight instructor and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He would remain in the Navy reserves until 1973. In all, he logged more than 4,000 flight hours.

In 1947, Mr. Cox returned to college, graduated with a bachelor's degree in education and landed his first teaching job that fall at Kirkland Junior High School. He rented a room from a local woman and fell in love with her daughter, Genevieve. They married that November. His wife died in 2005.

By the 1970s, Mr. Cox was serving as a "principal at large" in the Lake Washington School District, opening schools and running them for a year before moving on to open his next school.

He retired in 1976, and was appointed to the Kirkland City Council to fill out a departing council member's term. He was re-elected three times.

He was a member of Kirkland's Congregational Church. He was involved in the local Rotary Club and boasted 34 years of perfect attendance.

Mr. Cox wasn't very warm or outgoing, and he didn't even smile that often, said Alton Gregor, a fellow school principal and longtime friend who now lives in Bellingham.

But Mr. Cox was loyal and well-respected.

"He was hard to get to know ... " Gregor said. "I think people certainly knew his heart was with the community and that he'd do anything for the city or the school district."

In addition to his son, survivors include a daughter, Janet Caletti of Redmond; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Kirkland Congregational Church, 106 Fifth Ave. Memorials may be made to Evergreen Hospice, 12822 124th Lane N.E., Kirkland, WA 98034, or to the PBY Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 941, Oak Harbor, WA 98277.

Sara Jean Green: 206-515-5654 or sgreen@seattletimes.com