EAA Mourns Death of Golda Cox, Longtime Editor

June 22, 2017 - Golda Cox, who with her husband Jack led EAA’s publications team for nearly 30 years and developed Sport Aviation magazine from an organization publication into one of the world’s greatest aviation magazines, died on June 16 in her hometown of Asheboro, North Carolina. Golda was 84.

Recognizing their quality work on their local EAA chapter’s newsletter, in late 1969 Paul Poberezny offered Jack and Golda jobs at EAA – they were so inseparable during their 53-year marriage that EAA staff typically referred to them in one word: “JackAndGolda.” Jack became editor-in-chief of Sport Aviation and eventually other publications, while Golda was managing editor.

After the North Carolina natives received the offer from Paul, as Jack wrote in his final Sport Aviation column as editor in October 1999, “I was confronted by a very agitated blonde who, with hands on hips, drilled me straight through the heart with words I’ve never let her forget: ‘I am not moving to Wisconsin!’”

Fortunately for everyone, Golda relented and the couple arrived in Wisconsin in January 1970. For the next 29-plus years, they chronicled the world of sport aviation from the famous to the unknown, and built a passionate and devoted readership. Golda was not only managing editor but held a number of jobs with the growing EAA staff based in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. She also chaired the Press Headquarters team during the annual EAA convention in Oshkosh, meeting media members from around the world each summer.  While not a pilot, Golda enjoyed many hours of flying with Jack in their Comanche.

After the couple retired in September 1999, they moved back to their native North Carolina and settled in Asheboro near their families. They continued their own aviation pursuits and their own magazine, Sportsman Pilot, until Jack’s death in 2011.

According to Golda’s obituary, her family will have a small remembrance gathering in Asheboro on June 25. Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of Randolph in Asheboro. The staff at EAA sends our thoughts and prayers to Golda’s family, with our thanks for sharing Jack and Golda with EAA and the aviation world for many years.