Clifford L. Cox

Clifford Laird Cox, 90, of Edinboro died Saturday, January 10, 2026 at home. Son of James and Clara Cox, preceded in death by his wife of sixty-six years, Joanne H. Cox, and survived by daughters, Lisa Tenerowicz and Bethany Buckley (Joe); grandchildren, Joshua Tenerowicz (Alena), Brian Tenerowicz (Erin) and Sarah Schweiker (Nick) and great grandson, Noah.

Educated in the public schools of Turtle Creek, PA, he was a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania holding both a Bachelors Degree of Music as well as two Masters Degrees of Music and Education. He also studied at the University of Buffalo with composer Morton Feldman and at Carnegie Mellon University where he studied composition with Professor Nickolai Lopatnikoff.

Cox had a wide and varied career spanning his interests in music and education. His professional career in music spanned over a half century and included appearances with many of the top performers of his time in the jazz, popular and classical music fields.

A life member of the American Federation of Musicians spanning over sixty years, his first experiences in music were in the Pittsburgh area playing with local dance bands at various ball rooms in the tri state area. He also played piano for dance studios and variety shows from the time he was in ninth grade. During his undergraduate years at Indiana University of PA, he honed his stringed instrument skills and began to play symphonic music with both the Johnstown and Altoona Symphony orchestras. During these years he also became well known for his musical arrangements for various groups. His undergraduate years culminated with a performance of his original composition “The Cynic” as opera in one act.

After teaching several years in the public schools of Indiana, PA, he accepted a position as Professor of Stringed Instruments and Conducting at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1968. He established the University Symphony and String Orchestras and began the tradition of an annual tour of strings throughout western Pennsylvania. In 1972, he instituted the Edinboro Music Camp which for the next ten years grew to become the largest such gathering of student musicians in Pennsylvania.

He began his association with the Erie Philharmonic in 1968 and served the orchestra for thirty years as a violist, conductor of school concerts and music director of the affiliated Youth Orchestra. Under his baton the Erie Philharmonic Youth Orchestra initiated a tour schedule that took them not only to local venues but also to Harrisburg, Washington DC and a critically acclaimed five country European Tour in 1983.

In 1982, Cox was promoted to become Dean of the School of Continuing Education and shortly thereafter as Associate Vice President for Development and Planning. In 1985 he moved to the University President’s Office to become executive assistant to the President until his retirement in 1995. From 1993 until 2001 he served as a guest lecturer in strings at Grove City College in Grove City, PA.

During this same period, Cox served as the University liaison to their branch campuses in Pakistan, Morocco, Thailand and China and traveled to these countries frequently. In 1993 he was selected by the Chinese government to conduct and tour with the Shandong Provincial Symphony Orchestra throughout the key cities of that province including Chiang Dao, Qu Fu, Zibo and Jinan. As a result of these tours, he was named permanent guest conductor of the orchestra.

In 1982, Cox was appointed to the Board of Directors at the National Bank of Northeast in Northeast, Pennsylvania. In April of 2004, Cox was honored by his alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Distinguished Alumni Award. He was selected primarily for his work in the field of music.

He was an active member of the Edinboro United Presbyterian Church, and had a lifelong interest in the field of aviation and was widely read on the subject.

Friends may call on Friday, January 16, 2026 from 12 - 2 pm, at First United Presbyterian Church of Edinboro, 4281 Rt. 6N, Edinboro, PA, with a funeral service to follow at 2 pm. A private burial will be in Edinboro Cemetery. 

Memorials should be directed to the Clifford L. and Joanne H. Cox Music Award at Grove City College, Grove City, PA. To leave condolences, please sign the GuestBook below.