A Life In — Vol. 49

Joseph B. Cox

b. 1939 · Stilwell, OK → Naples, FL

Attorney · Bank founder · Civic leader

“Success means very little if you don't use it well.”

Joseph B. Cox spent more than forty years as an estate-planning attorney in Naples, Florida, recognized by Worth Magazine among the top hundred attorneys in the country and board certified by the Florida Bar in both wills and trusts and taxation.

He was a founder of six Florida financial institutions and a fixture of Naples civic life — a hospital vice chairman, a community-foundation founder, and a tireless raiser of money for causes far beyond politics.

He was born above a small hotel in Stilwell, Oklahoma, in 1939, and has never stopped believing what that town taught him: if you can help, you should.

Oil derricks silhouetted against a sunset on the Oklahoma plains — Where hard work became my foundation.

Growing Up in Oklahoma

I grew up in Oklahoma, where early lessons in hard work, honesty, and perseverance shaped the values that guided my personal and professional life. In those early years I focused on helping around the family hotel, doing every job imaginable — and on my favorite sports, track and football.

Those years instilled in me a drive for competition and a deep respect for education, family, and personal responsibility, principles that remained constant throughout my career.

Shaping My Path

From an early age, I was drawn to the structure, clarity, and problem-solving nature of the law. As I continued my education, I found myself particularly interested in estate planning and banking law — fields that combine analytical rigor with the opportunity to help individuals and families make thoughtful, long-term decisions. That blend of technical complexity and personal impact ultimately shaped the direction of my professional life.

A university diploma with a blue-and-white graduation tassel laid across it

Higher Education

›Oklahoma State University — B.A., Political Science, 1963.
›University of Tulsa, College of Law — Juris Doctor, 1966.
›Southern Methodist University, Southwestern Graduate School of Banking — 1971.
›University of Miami, School of Law — LL.M. in Estate Planning, 1976.

Joseph Cox featured in a Naples magazine spread headlined Power Lawyers — Featured among Naples's “Power Lawyers.”

My Legal Career

I spent more than four decades practicing law, concentrating on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and tax law. These areas allowed me to blend technical precision with a commitment to helping individuals and families protect their assets and plan for the future. I was honored to earn the trust of clients across the country and to serve in leadership roles within several respected law firms.

My Areas of Focus

›Estate Planning — helping families structure and protect their wealth.
›Estate & Trust Administration — guiding fiduciaries and beneficiaries through the legal and financial responsibilities after a loved one's passing.
›Tax Law — strategies to reduce tax burdens and structure transactions in a clear, compliant, and efficient manner.

Worth magazine “Top 100 Attorneys” cover beside a clipping naming Joe B. Cox among the nation's top 100 attorneys — Worth Magazine — among the nation's top 100 attorneys.

Professional Recognitions

›Worth Magazine — “One of the top 100 attorneys in the Nation.”
›Listed in “Florida Super Lawyers.”
›Florida Trend Magazine — “One of the top 1% of lawyers in Florida.”
›Florida Trend Magazine — “Top 34 Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning lawyers.”
›Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estate Administration.
›Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Taxation.
›Fellow, The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
›Member, American Bar Association Section on Taxation.
›Member, American Bar Association Section on Real Property, Probate & Trust.
›Executive Committee, Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section.
›Who's Who in America.
›Who's Who in American Law.
›Vice Chairman, Federal Judicial Selection Committee.

The classical stone columns and façade of a bank and trust building

Banks I Founded

I have been fortunate to be a founder of the following financial institutions:

›Commerce National Bank — acquired by First Union Bank, now Wells Fargo.
›Collier Bank — acquired by First Union Bank, now Wells Fargo.
›BancFlorida — acquired by First Union Bank, now Wells Fargo.
›Citizens National Bank — acquired by AmSouth, now Regions Bank.
›Bank of Florida — acquired by EverBank.
›Florida Trust Company — acquired by IberiaBank.

“Hard work and honesty count — that's how we were raised in Oklahoma.”

Joseph Cox at a Naples Community Hospital information desk in a community-healthcare feature — Naples Community Hospital, where he served as vice chairman.

Giving Back

I have always made it a priority to stay involved in civic and community life, and over the years I've had the privilege of helping raise tens of millions of dollars for causes I believe in. My commitment to giving back was shaped early on by my father, who donated the land for the first hospital in Stilwell, Oklahoma.

His example taught me that generosity and service are responsibilities, not choices — a lesson that has guided my involvement in charitable and community initiatives throughout my life.

“One of the smartest things I ever did was to wean myself off football — freeing up time to attend meetings and raise funds for good causes.”

Civic Involvement

A partial list

›President, Greater Naples Civic Association.
›Vice Chairman of the Board, Naples Community Hospital.
›Chair, Naples Community Hospital “Ability to Care” drive.
›Founding Director, Community Foundation of Collier County.
›Director, Naples Area Chamber of Commerce.
›Founding Director, YMCA of Collier County Endowment.

Continued

›Founding Board Member, Community School of Naples.
›Founding Board Member, The Immokalee Foundation.
›Founding Director, Alzheimer's Association — Collier Cares.
›Board Member, Shelter for Homeless Women.
›Recipient, Red Cross Legacy Award.

White House letters and a Presidential Inaugural Committee invitation addressed to Joe B. Cox, signed by President George W. Bush — Correspondence and an inaugural invitation from President George W. Bush.

Political Engagement

For many years I was actively involved in politics, helping raise funds and support candidates at the local, state, and national levels. I had the privilege of working with leaders across the country and contributing to more than fifty campaigns whose causes and leaders aligned with my own.

Joseph Cox standing outdoors with President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush — With President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush.

Political Campaigns

A partial list of my activity in the following campaigns:

›Chairman, Vice President Bush's event in Naples.
›Co-Chairman, President Bush's event in Naples (1994).
›Committee Member, George W. Bush Presidential Campaign (2000).
›Vice Chairman & Host Committee, President George W. Bush (2004).
›County Co-Chairman, Governor Jeb Bush.
›Campaign Committee, Secretary of State Jim Smith.
›Fundraising & Events Co-Chairman, Governor Charlie Crist.
›County Co-Chairman, State Representative Garrett Richter.
›Finance Chairman, State Representative Tom Grady.
›County Chairman, Congressman Connie Mack IV.
›Event Co-Chairman, Governor Rick Scott.
›Event Co-Chairman, Mitt Romney.

Joseph Cox with his two grandsons at a Naples restaurant — My grandsons.

Family

While my legal career occupied much of my professional life, family has always been the most important. My most meaningful memories have nothing to do with advising clients, banks, or politics. They involve time spent with the people I've loved the most.

I am blessed with two wonderful daughters who have brought tremendous joy to my life. Over the years, our family has expanded to include grandchildren, and I have found that becoming a grandfather brings a different kind of happiness and perspective.

While professional accomplishments have certainly been important, family is what I value above all else.

Vintage black-and-white photo of the Cox brothers and a cousin seated together, with Joe as a boy in front — The Cox brothers and a cousin — me in front.

Vintage black-and-white portrait of the Cox family, with Joe as a boy seated in front — The Cox family — me in front.

Success means very little if you don't use it well.

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