Cox, Donald W. 1940-2024 St. Joseph, Mo.
By NewsPress Now
Donald William Cox, 84, of St. Joseph, and longtime resident of Aurora, Colorado, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in a St. Joseph healthcare facility. He was born April 11, 1940, in Denver, Colorado, son of Sarah Elizabeth Bertha Pulliam (Betha) and William Otis Hopkins “Otis” Cox. He graduated from Aurora High School. He married Phyllis Law, who preceded him in death. He later married Linda Ferguson, in Aurora.
He was a U.S. Navy Veteran. In 2002, he retired from the Denver Rio Grande & Western Railroad as a Mechanic. After retirement, he volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Later he became a security officer for the museum. Don was a 33rd Degree Mason, having earned his 50-year pin with the Aurora Revelation Lodge # 156 A.F & A.M. and past Master of the Albert Pike Lodge. He also was a member of the Denver Consistory Scottish Rite and El Jebel Shriners. He was past president and a member of the El Jebel Shriners inner-body Radops. As a licensed HAM Radio operator he was known to chase tornados, work St. Patrick Day parades, the Shrine Circus and the Scottish Festival, in Estes Park, Colorado. In addition he belonged to the El Jebel Clowns.
Don was a wonderful Bagpiper and member of the Colorado Pipes and Drums. He enjoyed flying and loved spending time with his family.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents; and former wife, Phyllis (Law) Cox; brothers, John Wesley Cox, Otis William Cox Jr.; sisters, Alta Inez Cox Carter (Donald Carter), Flora Elizabeth Cox (Wayne Beavers), Olive Gertrude Cox (Lowell Carter) and Willa Mae Cox (William Johnson).
Survivors include wife, Linda Louise Ferguson-Cox, of the home; daughters, Debra Gromowski, of St. Joseph, and Denise Salazar (Ted LaFave), of Strasburg, Colorado; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Mr. Cox has been cremated under the care of Rupp Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, at the Rupp Funeral Home where a Celebration of his Life will follow at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Rupp Funeral Home. A Celebration of his Life will be held in Aurora at a later date. Inurnment with Military Honors will take place at Fort Logan National Cemetery, in Denver, at a later date.
Memorials are requested to the Denver Consistory Scottish Rite or the Aurora Revelation Lodge 156 A.F. & A.M.
Online condolences and obituary at www.ruppfuneral.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
