David Cox, 57, assistant director for industrial programs at Louisiana State University's Fire and Emergency Training Institute, died Monday, January 23, 2006, at a Baton Rouge, LA., hospital after a brief illness.

Cox devoted his life to the fire service in both Texas and Louisiana. Most recently, he had served as the key liaison between FETI and organizers of the 21st annual Industrial Fire World Conference & Exposition to be held March 27-31, 2006, in Baton Rouge.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, January 27, at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., in Baton Rouge, followed by graveside services at Resthaven Cemetery, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 8 a.m. until the start of services on Friday.

Born in LaPorte, TX, Cox attended Texas A&M University where he pursued studies to prepare for a career in fire fighting. He later served as fire chief in Deer Park, TX, where he added industrial fire fighting to his resume. This experience would eventually take him to LSU and the FETI industrial program.

A resident of Erwinville, LA, Cox is survived by his wife, Paulette, and a stepdaughter, Kelly Gallagher of Texas. Pallbearers will be Troy Austin, Richard Browning, Will Dane, David Flutz, Buddy Robison, and Kris Schmidt. Chaplain Debbie Drash will officiate. An honor guard will be provided by the St. George Fire Department.

Memorial donations should be made to the American Cancer Society.