Tracey and John Cox (’68) at the Krewe of Justinian Ball in Shreveport. Tracey served as Queen of Justinian in 2024, and John served as King of Justinian in 2019.
When brothers Trey and Stephen Cox reflect on their childhoods, their most cherished memories are rooted in the unwavering support of their parents, John T. (’68L & ‘65) and Tracey Cox (‘67).
“They showed up to every baseball, basketball, football game and track meet,” said eldest brother Trey, who is a partner and Global Co-Chair of Litigation at AmLaw 10 law firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. “Having raised three kids of my own while building a litigation practice, I now understand the commitment my parents made to us.”
John and Tracey Cox’s lives have been defined by their shared sense of commitment—to their children, their careers, their community, and, most importantly, to one another.
They originally met as children in the small town of Springhill in north Louisiana, where John grew up and Tracey and her family would often visit, and officially became a couple as undergraduate students at LSU. By the time John entered his second year at LSU Law in 1967 and Tracey started student teaching, they were married.
“People told me not to marry him during his first year of law school because I’d never see him,” Tracey said. “But no one warned John about my student teaching year—he colored Thanksgiving turkeys, Indians, and other bulletin board themes until he was blue in the face!”
John gladly colored inside the lines to support Tracey’s dream of becoming an elementary school teacher—a career that supported the young couple while John completed law school.
That same sense of partnership continued as they built their respective careers and family. In 1970, after originally practicing law in Baton Rouge, John accepted a lucrative offer from Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts (a firm dating back to 1917), which led the young couple to move back to north Louisiana.
John quickly made his mark at the firm when, after only a few months in the job, he was asked to take over a senior partner’s practice. He put in many 12-hour days to handle his new commercial real estate transaction cases along with his insurance defense cases. Within a year, he was named a partner at Blanchard Walker.
“Tracey and the boys didn’t see much of me for a while,” John acknowledged of the early years of his career. “I worked very hard, but it paid off. And I did it because I’ve always believed in doing what’s best for the firm.”
John and Tracey Cox at the Krewe of Justinian Grand Bal with their sons Trey and Stephen Cox, their daughter-in-laws, and their grandchildren.
The “Three Musketeers ethics,” as John calls it, motivated him to expand his skill set so the firm could offer additional legal services to clients. His broad-ranging skillset led to a successful career representing clients such as the Red River Motor Company, Querbes and Nelson Insurance, Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport, and The Letum Group, a national funeral home, cemetery, and crematory operator.
“I’ve had the pleasure of representing second and third generations of families,” said John, a community leader and volunteer in Shreveport, “I just enjoy the people here, and I love what I do.”
John’s passion for his community and clients has made it difficult for him to officially retire. He has made a few concessions, according to his sons. John has taken of counsel status at the firm, meaning he now takes a limited number of cases, and he works from home on Fridays.
“Retired means I can do what I want,” youngest son, Stephen, recalls his father telling him once. “And I want to go to work.”
Tracey shares the same enthusiasm for her career. After taking a break from teaching when they moved to Shreveport, she accepted a temporary role that rekindled her love for teaching.
She soon after discovered a new passion for working with students after realizing seven students in her class were diagnosed with dyslexia. Inspired to help children with learning differences, Tracey became a Certified Academic Language Therapist. To this day, she continues to work with students in the Learning Lab at First Baptist Church School.
“I love watching the students’ progress, and I have had the pleasure of watching them go on to lead successful lives,” said Tracey, noting many of her former students have gone on to graduate college, practice law, and became lawmakers. “I’m having a hard time retiring.”
The couple’s dedication, work ethic, and persistence in helping others had a profound impact on their sons who strive to mirror their parents’ ability to maintain a busy work life balance as adults.
“Even when I was sure they wouldn’t be able to make a game or a practice, they were always there,” said Stephen, a husband, father of two, and orthopedic surgeon in Shreveport. “My brother and I wouldn’t be where we are today without their example and the standards they set for us.”
To commemorate their parents’ 58th wedding anniversary last year, Trey and Stephen decided to make a gift to establish the John T. and Tracey Cox Scholarship at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. During the annual Hats ’n Canes Toast at the LSU Law All Alumni Tailgate on Sept. 21, 2024, at the Hats ‘n Canes toast for the Class of 2025, LSU Law Dean Alena Allen officially announced the scholarship and presented the couple with a special certificate of appreciation.
Several of the couple’s friends were on hand for the celebration, including Judge Eugene Bryson (’69), whom they have remained friends with since their time at LSU Law. John and Tracey were also close with Jay Pierson (’72), one of John’s law partners and his fraternity brother from undergraduate days. They even stayed in touch with Professor Saul Litvinoff, and Professor Bill Crawford (’55), who John credits with connecting him with Bob Roberts at Blanchard Walker more than 50 years ago.
“I hope that this scholarship will help LSU Law students fulfill their dreams,” said Trey, “and I hope that they have the opportunity to meet Mom and Dad and learn from some of their best characteristics—their dedication and their patience.”
