Happy Valley resident, Wilbur Cox age 92, passed away on January 4, 2016 of natural causes.
A Military Graveside service will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.
Wilbur Andrew Cox was born on January 18, 1923 in Medford, Oregon to Andrew Jackson Cox and Ella (Martin) Florence Cox. He subsequently lived in Salem and Turner, Oregon. Wilbur graduated from Turner High School in 1942 and joined the Navy later that year. He serviced as Aviation Radioman 1st Class and was honorably discharged in 1945. In 1946, Wilbur began his career with Safeway Stores and managed many in Oregon, including several in the Portland area.
In 1949, Wilbur married Maxine E. Smith. They lived in Salem for a short time, prior to moving to Portland in 1950 where they raised their children, Gregg Robert and Cheryl Ann. Wilbur left Safeway in 1959 and purchased East Moreland Grocery and Market. In 1968, Wilbur and Maxine moved to Corvallis where they owned and operated a dry cleaning business. Four years later, they returned to Portland to be near their grandchildren.
Wilbur and Maxine enjoyed vacationing in California. In 1978, they sold East Moreland Grocery and bought a park model in Indio, California, spending the winters there. Wilbur had a lifelong love affair with the game of golf. He had a very low handicap and marshalled in many tournaments, meeting many celebrities such as Dinah Shore and Bob Hope. He had many stories to tell. He even convinced Maxine to take up the game.
Survivors include his wife Maxine; children Gregg Cox (Barbara) of Terrebonne and Cheryl Meyer (Arden) of Boring; 4 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; his sisters, Catherine of Texas and Mildred of Salem. Wilbur is preceded in death by his brother Clarence.