Don Cox

Donald Kay Cox, 79, of Cavalier, ND passed away Sunday, December 29, 2013, in Tucson, AZ, surrounded by family for the last several weeks. A memorial service was held in Tucson, AZ on January 6th. Another will be held Saturday, February 1, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church, Cavalier, ND. Burial will be held at the Mountain Cemetery, Mountain, ND. Memorials are preferred to the Pembina County Food Pantry.
Donald was born May 19, 1934, in Bottineau, ND to Joseph and Laura (Melhaus) Cox. He grew up in the Mountain, ND area and graduated from Mountain High School. On February 14, 1959, he married Roberta Houghton at Cavalier. They lived on the family farm at Mountain, and later at Cavalier. They enjoyed winters in Tucson, AZ. In his spare time, Donald enjoyed woodworking, stained glass, and his 1957 Nash Rambler. He was an honorary member of the American Legion, Tongue River Lodge. He was on various boards - City of Mountain, Vikur Lutheran, United Lutheran Church boards, and Farmers Union.
Don managed the family farm for his mother and later jointly with his brother, Darrell. They also farmed with Robert (Buddy) Vivatson and his family. When asked if Don missed farming he would reply, "Not really", but stated he missed the farm home.
Survivors include his wife Roberta; children, Brian Cox and his family Erin, Jadyn, and Shanlee, all of Grand Forks and David Steamboat Springs, CO; Donna (Justin) Dagen and their family, Jerrica all of Karlstad, MN, Brooks of Jamestown, ND, Kendra of Minneapolis, MN, Sander of Fargo, ND; Bruce (Kris) Cox, and their family, Bethany, Jordan, Joshua (Alexis), all of Minneapolis, Jonathan of Chicago, IL; Darrin (Amy) Cox and their family Micah and Cambreigh, all of Devils Lake, ND. He is also survived by brothers Benjamin of Cavalier; Paul (Sue Palya) of Grand Forks, ND and Mesa, AZ; and sister-in law, Fern Cox, Union Mills, IN, Judy Cox, Cavalier, ND, Gladys Cox, Seattle, Wa. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Preceding him in death were his parents; daughter, Brenda Kay; brothers, Darrell and Joseph ; sisters: Grace Cox, Laura "DeeDee" Anderson, Avis Vivatson, Shirley Johnson; half brothers, Howard, Mytron, Dean and Thurman Parrill; and half sisters, Hazel, Esther, Fern, and Edith.