Roll Call Tribute

Kyle David Cox 

December 8, 1995 - January 5, 2026 

Kyle David Cox, 30, of College Station, TX, was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on January 5, 2026 surrounded by his family and closest friends.

Kyle was born December 8,1995 in El Paso, TX to David and Kristen Cox. From his very first moments, Kyle demonstrated a resilience and determination that would define his life. Complications at birth resulted in several brain-related injuries, including hearing loss, yet Kyle met every challenge with courage, creativity and an unshakable spirit.

Just before his seventh birthday, Kyle was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the leading fatal genetic disorder in children, affecting 1 in 5,000 live male births. Though DMD shaped many aspects of his life, it never limited his identity or diminished his joy. Kyle refused to be defined by his diagnosis. Instead, he became a master of adaptation—ingenious, resourceful, and endlessly optimistic as he navigated a world not built for him. His mantra, which he embodied every day, was “It’s not the disability, it’s the ABILITY.”

Kyle attended a school for the deaf from age 3 through kindergarten before transitioning to his neighborhood school in first grade. Without access to deaf education and sign language, he learned to read lips. Despite being exempt from state-mandated tests, Kyle insisted on taking every exam – and earned commendations in every subject.

Music became one of Kyle’s greatest joys. He began playing baritone / euphonium in middle school and continued through high school and beyond, thanks in large part to the unwavering support of Coronado High School band director, Mr. Capshaw. Using a wheelchair modified by a dedicated band parent, pushed by a student hand-picked by Mr. Capshaw, Kyle was able to “march” with the band all the way to state competition. Kyle individually achieved All-Region and All-Area band honors.

Kyle’s leadership and character were recognized beyond the band hall. El Paso Mayor John Cook selected him as one of the Mayor’s Top 100 Teens, a program that opened doors for Kyle to learn, serve, and inspire. Mayor Cook later shared that while the program impacted Kyle, it was Kyle’s zest for life that left a lasting impact on him.

In 2014, Kyle achieved his lifelong dream of attending Texas A&M University, the place he flourished most fully. He formed a deep bond with friends from the Christian community on campus. He successfully ran for student senate his junior and senior years, giving him a platform to form and lead the Disability Subcommission, bringing awareness to disability in a more impactful way. He resurrected the then-dormant Aggie Adaptive Sports, making it an integrated activity. He was nominated and accepted to the MSC Fall Leadership Conference and the Abbott Family Leadership Conference and served on the Student Advisory Board for Disability Services. In 2018, Kyle was awarded the Gary Gray Accountability, Climate, and Equity (ACE) Award for his advocacy and leadership.

Kyle wrapped up his undergraduate career in 2018 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Agricultural Leadership. He went on to attend the Bush School of Government & Public Service where he earned his Master of Public Administration in 2020, with a focus on Public Policy and Healthcare. He was elected to serve as Bush School Ambassador and was a student when the school’s founder and namesake, President George H.W. Bush, passed away. Kyle felt a deep bond with the President, who was very present in the school.

Kyle continued his music while at Texas A&M, playing in both concert bands and the Hullaballoo band during his undergraduate and graduate years. When he could no longer press the valves on his baritone, he played with the two (of four) valves he COULD press, because he did not want to give up music.

Kyle was awarded the Buck Weirus Award from the Texas A&M Association of Former Students, an award bestowed upon students who demonstrate high involvement, create positive experiences throughout the Aggie community, impact student life at Texas A&M, and enhance the Aggie Spirit.

After graduating from Bush School, Kyle founded Cox Consultants, providing policy consulting and data analytics to businesses and agencies. His education, life experiences, and analytical mind were the perfect combination for this role.

In 2022, Kyle was nominated by Governor Abbott to the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD), where he served on the Public Policy Committee. In 2025, he was nominated by Governor Abbott to the Texas Intellectual and Developmental Disability System Redesign Advisory Committee. These roles provided Kyle a platform to influence policy and legislation affecting the disability community at the highest level.

At the time of his death, Kyle was a doctoral candidate in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture, working toward his PhD in Leadership, Education and Communication. He had completed all coursework, his written and oral exams, and had only his dissertation remaining to earn the title of Dr. Cox. The College of Agriculture was like extended family to him. His professors and fellow students cared deeply about each other and showed up any time Kyle was hospitalized.

Amidst all of his educational endeavors, Kyle managed to earn three certificates: Leadership, Education, Theory and Practice (December, 2023), Nonprofit Management (March 2025), and Extension Education (September, 2025).

Kyle was fiercely competitive, sharply witty, endlessly funny, and profoundly social. He loved dancing (in his signature wheelchair style), playing chess, dad jokes, Texas Roadhouse rolls, late-night games of 42 or Spades, pranks, deep conversations, and all things Texas A&M and Dallas Cowboys. Kyle was a fixture at Aggie football, basketball and baseball games. Kyle and his mom, Kristen, never missed a home game, or watched on TV if they didn’t attend a road game. He was an eternal optimist when it came to his Aggies and Cowboys, always knowing a mathematical path to post-season play no matter what the current record reflected.

Despite his physical challenges, he traveled the world with family, including his Make-A-Wish trip to Australia, band trip to Ireland, cross-country rail trip with his mom in Canada, cruise around Southern Europe with his parents, and countless other domestic and international trips, inspiring everyone he met.

His college friendships were legendary—adventurous bonds built on accountability, laughter, and shared faith. His friends were loyal and protective, and most of all they were present. Kyle loved them deeply. They showed up for each other in the best and darkest hours. They knew his deepest thoughts and helped him reach his goals and achieve new heights. They stood beside him in battles. One unforgettable highlight: a group of college friends affectionally called Kyle’s Komrades, surprised him with a week-long RV road trip back to El Paso so he could attend prom with his hometown best friend, giving Kyle countless adventures along the winding path through Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and finally El Paso.

It would be impossible to name even his inner circle because it was so large, but he would want to recognize Tug White with whom he had an unmatched bond of friendship, love, laughter and untold adventures. He would also want to recognize Rori Brownlow who was like his big sister, confidante, best friend, and cheerleader. Both Tug and Rori showed up every time Kyle had a band concert, landed in the hospital, received an award, needed a lunch buddy, had a battle to fight or a victory to celebrate. They did not leave his side during his final hospitalization, and together with his family, stayed with him as he was ushered to the gates of Heaven.

Beginning in 3rd grade, Kyle always had a service dog always at his side. His first dog was Bethany, who served him until his senior year in high school. August came along following Bethany’s retirement, living in the dorm with Kyle, participating in countless college life experiences. August was followed by Amber, who was trained by Kyle’s mother. Amber set the bar for service dogs in intelligence, creativity, loyalty and compassion. Amber was followed by Annie, who is left to grieve his loss. When someone asked what the service dog does, Kyle’s mom would rattle off dozens of tasks while Kyle responded, “She’s my chick magnet.” It was true! Throw in his toddler nieces and nephews who hung around him frequently, and Kyle was unstoppable.

Faith anchored Kyle through immense daily health challenges. He glorified God in all he did, finding fullness of life in Christ on earth. Now, in his perfected body, he runs and dances along the streets of gold. 

In just 30 years and one month, Kyle accomplished more and impacted more lives than most do in a lifetime — paving paths for DMD treatments, advocating for inclusion, and modeling unconquerable joy.

Above all, Kyle cherished his family. Kyle is survived by his parents, David and Kristen, sister Katelyn and her husband Daniel Rigney together with their children William (8), Elizabeth (6), Kennedy (4) and Rex (3), sister Kimberly Scherer and her children Kalob (13), Kenzie (8), and Kolton (4). He is also survived by a handful of friends who were as close as brothers to him. One of Kyle’s favorite titles was “Unka” to his nieces and nephews, and to children of his close friends. They loved to hitch rides on his wheelchair and play games with him.

There will be a Celebration of Life and reception on Saturday, January 10 at 4pm, at Grace Creekside Church in College Station, 4601 Williams Creek Dr, College Station, TX. Please Wear Aggie Maroon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a tax-deductible donation to Kyle Cox '18 Excellence Endowment for Mobility & Disability.  http://give.am/KyleCoxMobilityDisabilityEndowment 

Silver Taps – Feb 3, 10:30pm, Texas A&M campus

Aggie Muster – April 21 in a location near you.  https://www.aggienetwork.com/muster/search.asp