Thomas Patrick Cox died unexpectedly on March 24, 2016 at his home on the edge of the High Plains in Spearfish, South Dakota.

A Professor Emeritus of psychology, Thomas taught high school in Roy, Montana, and worked at the Oregon Zoological Research Center in Portland, The College of Great Falls in Lewiston, The State University of New York, Brooklyn, and Hunter College in New York City before moving to Black Hills State University as an Assistant Professor. Thomas published seminal articles about the olfactory system in mice. An award-winning teacher, he was dedicated to his students, successfully conveying his passion for experimental psychology and teaching them to do rigorous scientific research, often as undergraduate assistants in the Psychology lab that he initiated at Black Hills State University. Students, colleagues and friends enjoyed his dry sense of humour, particularly at the end of each semester, when he hosted a celebration for all his students.

A proponent of behaviorism, Thomas claimed he had never had a thought in his life. Apparently without thinking, he managed to obtain a BSc from Eastern Montana State College, a MA from Middle Tennessee State University, and a PhD from the University of Manitoba.

In addition to his teaching and research, Thomas lovingly restored 1950s Studebakers and 1970s British bikes, but his pride was a 1972 BMW motorcycle. His life was complete only with the companionship of a dog beginning with Snooper, an Irish setter and ending recently with Jo, a border collie of legendary loyalty. A remarkably talented dog trainer, Thomas had less success with the Shetland ponies that he rode as a child. Although he always remembered them fondly, they often bucked him off. In Spearfish, he exorcised these memories with Horse and her colt, Little Horse. During his retirement, he pursued his longstanding interests in jazz, Russian literature and history, horticulture, woodworking and listening to NPR, all day.

Thomas was born in Billings, Montana on October 18, 1946. He is predeceased by his mother and father, Anne Barbara (Maichel) and Thomas Patrick Cox, his sister, Maryanne Eugenia Cox, his aunt and uncle, Arlene and Frank Mossman, the neighbours who cared for him and his brother after his mother's and sister's deaths, and his stepmother, Nanette (Nafziger) Cox. He is greatly missed by his siblings; Joseph Cox (Valerie Preston), Kelli Eddy (Paul), Michael Cox (Donna Caneen), and Kathleen Orlich (Scott), his nieces and nephews; Simon and Elizabeth Cox, Rachael and Jack Eddy, Jennifer and Ethan Supler, and Erin Caneen-Cox, extended family members, and his friends and former students across North America.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Deb Kullerd and Nancy for their compassionate care, and his friends in Spearfish whose affection and practical help allowed him to live in the place he loved best.

A Life of Celebration will be held on Saturday, June 18, 5:00 pm at 340 W. Nevada St in Spearfish.


Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.