Ken passed away in the evening of July 14, 2020 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at his home in Miles City, MT., he was 68 years young. Ken was surrounded with love at his home with his wife, two sons, and their families by his side.
Born September 1, 1951 in Middletown Ohio, he was the 4th son of 6 children of Samuel Wilburn Cox Sr and Arletta Jean Cox.
In the summer of 1966 Ken and his family moved outside of Columbia Falls, MT at the base of Glacier Park. Ken spent all is free time hiking, fishing, hunting and exploring with his dog Jr.
After Ken graduated high school from Columbia Falls Ken joined the national guard, he served 8 years and when he was discharged his rank was Sergeant. He worked at the Aluminum plant in Columbia Falls, he also started his business of Cox Welding. Ken was also a volunteer fireman and became the Fire Chief of the Evergreen Fire Department in Montana. Ken decided to sell his business after 23 years and ended up working for Western Energy in Colstrip MT. as a heavy equipment operator where he met his beloved wife of Miles City, Debra (Debbie) Jean Reedy.
Ken and Debbie met on March 7, 2007 and were married November 7, 2008. Ken then moved to Miles City where they made their home together, and he continued to work for Western Energy until his retirement. Ken and Debbie’s home was outside of Miles City where they farmed and raised a few cows. They loved spending every moment together. Their favorite time of day was early mornings having a cup of coffee together on their deck, listening to the birds. It was always a race in the spring on who heard the first meadowlark. Ken loved to be out in the pasture on his dads 730 John Deere or the 2010 John Deere. Ken and Debbie spent most of their spare time not only farming but remodeling their home. Their joy was being together and being with their 4-legged furry kids, Beau and Spud.
Ken was a not only a phenomenal man, but he was a phenomenal husband, dad, grandparent and neighbor. When a neighbor needed help, Ken was there. Ken loved to joke around and never met anyone he could not have a conversation with. He had a wonderful sense of humor, one of the many qualities people loved about him.
Ken loved to spend time with his family, his kids, grandkids and always looked forward to their coming for a visit, and they loved to make the trip back to his moms to spend time with family. The trip was always filled with laughter and fun. He and his wife would always stop in Billings on their way to Kalispell to have a quick breakfast. On one trip they had Josie their German Shepard with them, and she always jumped and sat in the driver’s seat waiting for them. When they went out to get into the pickup she was sitting there, and he said in a very loud voice “you get your fuzzy butt in the back seat” He did not realize there was a woman in the parked car next to them getting out, and she obviously thought he was talking to his wife. Debbie just laughed as the woman glared at Ken with a disgusted look that she had on her face.
He loved to teach his grandchildren new things, sometimes with a very stern look from their mom. They loved every moment that had with Grampa, helping Grampa, riding on the tractors or 4-wheeler, and listening to his stories. His grandchildren often referred to him as an “Awesome Grampa”.
On one occasion, their Granddaughter Chloe asked if she could paint his toenails, Grampa was good with that, so she did and used every bright color you can imagine, every toe was bright and different. About 6 months later they were at his moms’ home and he had showered and came out with no socks, Mom looked at his toes, and Ken said “this stuff won’t wear off. Mom stated, “well you could use nail polish remover”, his head snapped around to his wife, and she calmly, with a smile on her face said, “well you never asked”.
Ken referred to his wife as his little bride. There was a deep and devoted love and respect shared between them, and they rarely said a cross word to each other. Ken would always say to his wife,” I love you infinities”, and she would say back that she loved him “thousands more of infinities”, and they would banter back and forth on who loved who more. They often, in passing would stop and take a moment to have a short dance with Ken humming a tune in her ear. They thought they would have more chapters in their book together, and it ended up being way too few. Every moment was precious. They both were the love of each other’s lives. A dear family friend called the family and related to them that Ken often said that he has never been happier since he met and married his little bride.
Ken was preceded in death by his dad Samuel Cox Sr., and his brother Michael Cox.
Ken is survived by his loving wife Debra (Debbie) Jean Cox , his wonderful loving mom Arletta (Jean) Cox, daughter, Jessica Treweek of Kalispell Montana, son John Erickson of Rapid City, South Dakota, daughter Teisha Cox-Howell of Anchorage Alaska, and son Grant Erickson of Miles City, Montana, 8 grandchildren, two brothers, Sam Cox Jr. and Wally Cox both of Helena Montana, and two sisters Alice Meyer of Swan Lake, Montana and Deborah (Deb) Beck of Columbia Falls, Montana. He was greatly loved.
Ken touched so many lives, and he so loved his family, we were all blessed to have him in our lives, he will be forever loved, forever missed on this earth, and forever in our hearts. He accepted Christ into his life, and we are comforted he is no longer in pain and resting in Gods arms.
“I miss you infinities my love”.
A celebration of life will be held at the couple’s home located at 7808 Valley Drive E. in Miles City on July 27th, 2020 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Nonalcoholic beverages will be available. Please send flowers and memorials to the address above.
There will also be a Celebration of Life held at the family home outside of Columbia Falls. Date is pending.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Monday July 27, 2020
Family Home
7808 Valley Drive East
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Monday July 27, 2020
Family Home
7808 Valley Drive East
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Oh Deb😥. So very sorry Ken passed away. He suffered for so long, but God saw fit to take him home now. Many hugs are going your way. You didn’t have much time together, but you made good use of that time💞
Kristi Celander says
Deb, I’m so sorry. Thinking of you and your family.
Natalie Lothspeich says
Deb, John and Grant, Ken was a wonderful Husband father and friend and will be missed Immensely. Sending prays at this Difficult time.
Eieen Entzel says
Deb and family You are in our thoughts and prayers
Marsha McBride says
Debra and family, sending thoughts and prayers for you at this time of sorrow . I am one of his cousins from Ohio . I am so thankful he is pain free and will be with our Heavenly Father who will heal his illness !! May God bless you all and please be with Aunt Jean and family !!
Lisa Maine says
Henry & I are so sorry for your loss Debbie! Prayers for the lords blessing & strength in this time for you & your family!
Julie Cook says
Debbie, I am so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you.
Luke Beck says
Very sad Uncle Kenny is gone it was fun to picking on him when you and Kenny come visit grandma cox come over when I come home one my home visit and pick on goofy Kenny we will miss him.
Rebecca Gookin says
Deb, so very sorry for the loss of Ken.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sherrie M Colyer says
Deb…so sorry to hear about your brother. You have wonderful memories, I’m sure, but it is always a hard process to go through. Please tell your mother that I am thinking of her also. Love to you, Mike and Sherrie
Alice Meyer says
You are in our thoughts and prayers. we are glad he is not suffering but will miss him dearly. Hugs to you and your family.
Gail Krezelak says
Deb and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I will miss Ken popping his head in our office and joking around. I will miss he telling me she has to buy my lunch today😢 He was a great guy and I am glad I meet him! My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Gail
Sam Cox Jr says
I will miss all those early 5 am phone calls where we solved all the problems of the world and what rumors we could start. I wish you well and I’ll keep Deb on the straight and narrow. Top of the morning to you Kenny.
anna jones says
Deb, im sorry for the loss of your true love. He truly was a great guy. Always made us laugh. His humor was energetic and we laughed with him every time he came in, even when he didn’t feel his best.
Know you and your family are in our prayers.
Jean from the clinic.
Jean Jones says
Deb, im sorry for the loss of your true love. He truly was a great guy. Always made us laugh. His humor was energetic and we laughed with him every time he came in, even when he didn’t feel his best.
Know you and your family are in our prayers.
Jean from the clinic.
Deborah (Cox) Beck says
Kenny, I am going to miss all those long winded conversations we would have discussing every topic you could think of. I’m especially going to miss calling you up on my birthday and taunting you that we were now the same age for 5 days. When we were younger I could really aggravate you. But as we got older, you sure took the fun out of it when you claimed it didn’t bother you anymore. But you always reminded me on your birthday that you were now a year older and wiser than me. Take care, big brother. I’m sure going to miss you.
Arlen Kirkaldie says
To all of Ken’s family ,
My wife and I are lifting you up In our prayers .
We are so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing .We saw Ken a few times at Walmart , I knew Ken from working with him at the mine , great guy! So very sorry for your loss.
Tom McMaken says
Ken was a good man and a great friend, what more can you say. Tom and Chris
Craig and Rosie Steinbach says
Deb and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. It was a pleasure working with Ken at Western Energy Mine. He was a great friend and we will miss him! It is good he is no longer suffering and is with the Lord.
Gina Ouano says
Debbie so sorry to hear about your husband. I’m thinking of you . Take care of yourself and your family.
Love gina
Dave Gunderson says
RIP Ken
Randy and Cora Stennerson says
To Ken,s family:
So sad to hear, our thoughts and prayers are sent your way.
Leah Warner says
To the family, Sending love and prayers to all of you during this time. I am so glad I met him at Cass & Grants wedding. Thank you for trusting me with the flowers in honor of Ken at his celebration of life.
April Thompson says
My deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Ken Cox. My prayers for all of you are for peace and comfort.
Chris George says
RIP my friend.Prayers for healing and comfort to his family💐
Rebecca Haaland says
Good bye to my favorite Bro. I will so miss our early morning catching up phone calls and when together our heart felt conversations. I’m so proud to have been a part of your life. My heart is so sad for Deb. It brings to mind one of our deep conversations of which we were discussing our past and present relationships. Never have I seen a man more happy and in love with his wife than Ken was with you. Hiswords still ring in my ears, “I’ve never been happier than I am now, I finally found my true soul mate. My love, my life, my beautiful Deb”, he said. I remember teasing you about being so mushy. The joy on your face and the twinkle in yours eyes when you spoke of Deb. Made me so happy for you. I am so honored that you called me sis. From my heart to Deb. Thank you for being the twinkle in Ken’s eyes and the smile on his face. I am honored to be a part of you and Ken’s family. I will greatly miss his sense of humor. Thank you Deb for being the wonderful friend and wife to my Brother. The numerous times he shared with me of the teasing he so enjoyed Directed your way and with you. You made him such a happy man. From the bottom of my heart God Bless you my sister forever.
Wally Cox says
Deb, it’s taken me a year to be able to extend my sorrow and you should know I thought of Kenny every day this past year. I dislike phone calls that ramble on and on, but I’m missing the calls from Kenny at all hours and covering every subject from our childhood to what is going on now. I pray you are doing well. Life isn’t the same without him. God Bless you for giving Kenny happiness the last years of his life. Kenny loved you dearly.