Llewellyn Henry Cox III, successful Realtor, philanthropist
Llewellyn Henry Cox III passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Dublin, Ireland.
He was born Feb. 21, 1952, into a family who settled in Madison, Miss., in 1861. Henry excelled academically and in the arts. At 17, Henry played with the Jackson Symphony and the University of Mississippi Symphony. He graduated valedictorian from Madison-Ridgeland High School. He led an active life at Millsaps College as a member of Kappa Alpha Pi fraternity, The Millsaps Singers, The Troubadours, and Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Society, and served as national president of Eta Sigma Phi. Following his undergraduate studies, he obtained master's degrees from University of Mississippi and Tulane University.
Henry led a successful career in commercial real estate until he retired in 2002 to pursue entrepreneurial projects and philanthropic board memberships, supporting the arts and his hometown churches. Reflecting on his full life, Henry shared that the two people who most influenced his life were fellow Mississippians Leontyne Price and Lewis Dalvit, conductor of the Jackson Symphony. Ms. Price inspired him to dream big and aim for excellence. Mr. Dalvit inspired him to nurture aspiring artists.
He met the enduring love of his life, Michael, in 2013 and they married Sept. 27, 2014. Their homes were always open to family, friends, musicians, composers, artists, and writers. He and Michael commissioned music; they sponsored events and concert series, along with commissioning art pieces for their collection. They were major supporters of the Irish National Opera and supported University College Dublin Choral Scholars, Chamber Choir Ireland, and the Chelsea District Library’s Music in the Air series, which they founded. Henry thrived on helping artists in all fields and connecting them to opportunities.
He is survived by his husband, Michael D. Kunkel of Dublin, Ireland; his sister, Charlotte Cox Morrow (John) of Overland Park, Kan.; his uncle, Roy B. Price (Barbara) of Mobile, Ala.; and nieces, nephews, cousins and very dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, consider a U.S. tax-deductible contribution to the Irish National Opera by donating through The Ireland Funds America by contacting Rory MacIntyre at rmacintyre@irelandfunds.org.
There will be Choral Matins with Remembrance at St. Patrick’s National Cathedral (Anglican) in Dublin, Ireland, to be scheduled probably at the end of May. The service will be livestreamed.
