Donald Ray Cox, Sr., 62, of La Plata died peacefully at home on March 31, 2011. Born January 8, 1949, he was the son of the late John W. Cox and Annie Marguerite Cox of La Plata.

Donnie attended La Plata School from first through twelfth grade, graduating in 1967. He attended the Charles County Community College for two years. In 1971, he graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Business Administration. For six months after college, he sold cars at Barnes Chevrolet and Waldorf Chrystler Plymouth.

On January 2, 1972, he began his 35 year career at Baldus Real Estate. Always a go-getter, he was awarded Associate Realtor of the Year the following year in 1973; became General Sales Manager of Baldus and awarded Realtor of the Year, both in 1979; served as President of the Board of Realtors in 1980. In 1984, he was named Vice President and General Sales Manager of Baldus and served as such for the next 23 years. After retiring in 2007, he proudly launched his own brokerage, Cox Real Estate.

Passionate about providing access to higher education, especially at his alma mater, Donnie established several scholarship funds at the College of Southern Maryland Foundation (CSM) and served as a board member for 10 years, earning an Emeritus status, and chairing the Foundation from 2001-2003. He was instrumental in raising funds to establish the St. Charles Children's Learning Center at CSM. Donnie also began his involvement with the McDonough Charity School, another college scholarship fund, in 1968. He served on the board of directors for many years and became president in 1987 – serving as such until his death. In his personal life, Donnie Cox was an avid golfer, a loving husband, a proud father and grandfather with a meticulously manicured lawn and a collector of classic corvettes – he loved all things fast with 4 wheels.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Marilyn C. Hancock and his brother, John H. Cox both of La Plata.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Sullivan Cox; his daughter Kirstie and her husband F. Michael Donohue, IV of Wilmington, DE; his son Donald "D.R." Ray Cox, Jr. and his wife Katie Malady Cox of La Plata; grandchildren Mickey, Grayson, Chase and Skylar Donohue, and "New Grandbaby Cox" due at the end of August to Katie and D.R.; siblings Beverley C. Davis and her husband Norman Davis of Chapel Hill, NC; Diane B. Cox and her life partner John Messick of Waldorf and Cheryl C. DeAtley and her husband Chris DeAtley of Waldorf; and a wealth of beloved nieces, nephews and their extended families.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, April 4, 2011 from 5-8pm at Raymond Funeral Chapel, La Plata, MD A Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 11am at Raymond Funeral Chapel, La Plata, MD. Interment will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery, La Plata, MD. Rev. Mark Roberson will officiate.

Arrangements provided by Raymond Funeral Service.