Kimberly Ann Cox-York

Kimberly Ann Cox-York (Kim or Kimi) passed away suddenly at the age of 53 in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Kim was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado on February 5, 1971 to Edwin (Edgie) and Charlotte Cox of Victor, Colorado. Kim grew up in Victor and Cripple Creek and graduated as a member of the National Honor Society from Cripple Creek-Victor High School in 1989. During high school, Kim was active in volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, drama, the debate team, and 4-H, excelling at all of them.

Kim went on to college at Fort Lewis College, where she originally planned to become a lawyer. She had an exceptional science professor during her first year of college and changed her major.  Kim went on to earn her BS in Biology and Chemistry in 1994. Kim moved to Oregon to pursue higher education and met John York. Together, thanks to John’s service in the Coast Guard, Kim traveled to Hawaii where she received her Master of Science in Nutrition from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The couple moved to New Jersey when John was restationed. They welcomed Samantha Trinity York on July 2, 2004.

In December of 2004, Kim and her family returned to Colorado, this time settling in Fort Collins. Kim went on to pursue her PhD and graduated with her Doctorate in Food Science and Human Nutrition from Colorado State University (CSU) in 2009. After several years doing research, Kim also became a professor at CSU in the Nutrition Sciences Department.

During her tenure at CSU, Kim continued to grow and expand her love of research, becoming a Research Scholar in November 2011 and the Research Integrity Officer and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Coordinator in February 2021.  She was passionate about mentoring students and formally mentored more than 25 students, as well as serving on numerous thesis committees.

Kim is preceded in death by her grandparents, father Edwin, and brother Jeff. She is survived by her daughter Samantha, mother Charlotte, brother David (Marion) Greenlee, sister Karen (Jim) Muntzert, nephews Douglas (Kourtney) Leaf, Tyler Bowman, and Damon (Kiah) Cox; nieces Jacklyn (Tony) Steeples, Nicole (Travis) Crawford, Kylie Muntzert, Ann Walker (Daniel) Greenlee Huttchson, and Morgan Cox; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews and her soulmate Stacey Baumgarn.

Kim will be remembered by all as intelligent, outspoken, and a loving, giving friend to so many. True to her nature, Kim has donated her body for scientific research. In her own words, she wished to be remembered this way: “That I loved my family and friends, cared for the planet, and respected all life."

A celebration of life for family and friends is planned on July 27, 2024, 12Noon, at Royal Gorge Manor, 1122 N. 15th Street, Canon City, CO.  Everyone is invited to either (or both) event(s) to share your memories of Kim.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Kiva, Trees Water People, National Public Radio Station KUNC 91.5FM (NPR for Northern Colorado), or the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program. 

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