On April 17, 2022 Donald William Cox returned home to our loving Heavenly Father. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
Don was born on September 1st 1935 to William Bud Cox and Mildred Johnson Cox in Provo, Utah. Although he spent some years away from Utah County for his job, he always considered Utah County his home. Don’s childhood was spent swimming in Provo River and Utah Lake, fishing with his Grandpa King, in Scofield (although he didn’t much care for “stinking fish”), and hunting with uncle Kenny and Aunt Maurine.
During his adolescent and adult years Don threw himself into athletics. He loved baseball, basketball, track where he held the school pole vault record for a time, and wrestling. Don achieved the first ever state champion in wrestling at Provo High. Don was a good bowler as well. He played in numerous bowling leagues and tournaments, won many trophies, and held a high 180 average.
When Don was 18 he took one look at a beautiful young woman named Mickie Lynnette Bunnell and that was all it took. It was love at first sight for Don. Dad told the story that after meeting Mom he told his friend that was with him, “That’s the woman I’m going to marry. For Lynnette, however, it took a few more looks. They were married on February 27,1954 after a short courtship and the rest is, as they say, history.
When they were first married Don worked at a filling station making .25 per hour. He then worked for his uncles; A&C Cox Excavation. Later he joined the Operating Engineers Local 3 Union and worked at Geneva Steel. It was at this time they began to get ahead financially. They bought a house in Orem.
After working at Geneva he took a job running heavy equipment building a power plant in Kemmerrer, Wyoming. It was during this time that Don and Lynnette decided to make the important decision to have their lives sealed together, along with their 5 children for Time and All Eternity. This ordinance took place sometime in 1970.
After the plant in Kemmerrer was completed, they packed up their family of 5 and moved to Huntington, Utah where they bought a home and 40 acres of farm land. Things really prospered for Don at this time.
During approximately 12 years in Huntington, all of their children had grown and married, so they moved back to Utah County, bought a lot in Elk Ridge, Utah, and built a house. Sometime later dad was coaching at UVSC and working on the grounds running equipment building parking lots and such.
Don scored a hole-in-one at Hobble Creek Golf Course. He loved golfing and played it from age 20 on. He coached women’s softball at UVSC (later named UVU) in Orem for many years. Several of his players became All American softball players. Coaching was one of the great joys of his life. He provided countless hours of community service coaching. He even published a book called How To Play Softball Right. He also loved riding motorcycles.
One of Don’s favorite hobbies was flying RC airplanes with his “honorary son” Jake Perkins. They loved to travel on adventures all over the state together. Additionally, Don loved all his dogs Tasha, Shay and Ginger, who passed before him. After they passed, he felt he really needed another dog in his life. His beloved Moto filled that empty hole. He also had a funny way of sharing his opinions. Something he got a kick out of saying to people was, “I never understood why God put Fords and Shetland ponies on the earth.”
During this time and just shy of 50 years of marriage the love of his life passed away on Sept 16, 2003. That was a very sad day for Don, his children, and all who knew Lynnette.
Later in life Don met an amazing woman named Wanda Shafer. They fell in love and Don moved her to Utah. Wanda was a Southern Belle from North Carolina with all the prim, proper and accent that goes along with it. All of Don’s children instantly took to her and loved her as their own. They bought a house in Salem where they lived out the rest of Don’s days.
Wanda stood by, comforted, loved and supported Don from the day they met. She has been by his side until his last breath. She will miss him dearly.
Don was very competitive in everything he did and passed much of that competitive nature to his children, along with many other high valued attributes. Don was a very honest man. He didn’t like dishonesty, stealing, lying or anything of that nature. Everyone always knew where they stood with Don and where he stood about things.
Don was a great mechanic and equipment operator. He was a life long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with an unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ and the Church. He held the office of High Priest. Don is survived by his wife Carolyn Wanda, son Duane and Laura Cox, daughter Vickie Kinder, Son Bruce Cox, daughter Karie and Dave Molotchick, son Jerry and Rebecca Cox, 25 grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren.
Services will be held on Friday April 22nd 2022 at 3:00 pm in the Apple Blossom Chapel located at 25 West Apple Blossom Way, Salem, Utah 84653
To view the service remotely. go to Legacy Funerals & Cremations Facebook page.
There will not be a viewing or graveside service.
Don disliked flowers because they reminded him of funerals. So, in lieu of flowers please donate to the charity of your choice.
