Parke Prince Cox, our courageous family patriarch, passed away on March 1, 2024, after journeying through life for more than 102 years. Parke has left a legacy beyond measure and although we are saddened by his passing, we can’t help but find joy in the grand reunion for all his loved ones beyond, who were waiting anxiously to be with him again.
Parke Prince Cox was born on June 25, 1921, in St. George, Utah to Warren Lee Cox and Golda Maude Prince. He was a hard-working and happy young man growing up in Southern Utah. It didn’t come, however, without many hardships. His father passed away when Parke was only 11 years old. Because of the financial strain this placed on his mother, Parke and his brother Lee went to live with relatives in New Harmony for a short time, while Golda went to cosmetology school to be able to support her family. It was there Parke and Lee became the best of friends, leaning on each other during such a difficult time of life. Eventually, Parke went on to attend Dixie High School as well as Dixie College. While in college, he met the love of his life Emily Brown Cox. Through a lot of effort, Parke finally convinced Emily to date him. His hard work paid off as they were eventually married on Sept. 12, 1942. From that day forward the two of them were inseparable. Everything they did, they did it together. They were later sealed in the St. George LDS Temple on July 8, 1943, and remained members of the LDS church all their lives. Parke and Emily recently celebrated their 81st wedding anniversary — an accomplishment very few in the world can claim.
In 1941, at the height of World War II, Parke joined the United States Army Air Corps. He began his military career as a service pilot. After showing exemplary skill in flying these planes, he was promoted to be a Flight Instructor, skillfully teaching many men the art of flying and preparing them for the war. Parke was in Reno, awaiting orders to battle on the front lines when the war ended in 1945. He was honorably discharged from the service shortly thereafter.
In 1946, after returning from the service, Parke and Emily began the cross-country trip that would set the trajectory for the rest of their lives; driving their Studebaker to Ohio to buy an army truck that turned out to be unassembled in seven different crates. After 10 days of laborious work to build that first truck, Parke Cox Trucking was born and the two of them began their trek back to St George. Together they went on to pioneer a successful trucking business that was built on both his and Emily’s hands-on approach. Even after selling the family business to their sons David and Don, they continued to have a presence in the office – well into their 90’s.
Parke loved the outdoors. When he wasn’t on the road driving trucks, he could be found somewhere across the Southwest hunting mountain lions, deer or elk. If he wasn’t fishing or out boating, Parke was roping wild mustangs and pioneering trails in his Jeep across the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. Like everything he did in life since meeting his sweetheart, he did it with Emily right by his side.
Parke became known for recreating the infamous “men-only” deer camp. When he showed up with Emily that first year, it started a new tradition. One of Parke’s most valued places outdoors was up on Cedar Mountain at Duck Creek. From the time they bought their plot of land in 1964, it became the central meeting place where they all could get away from their busy lives and bring themselves back to what was most important — the family. That place underwent many stages of growth; from sleeping under the stars, then to a tent, eventually building a small shed to sleep in with a roof over their heads. It was 1980 when Parke and Emily, with the help of the kids, built the family cabin that stands there today. They would spend every waking minute they could at the cabin. Often times they would rush the kids straight from school to head up the mountain, racing home as late as time would allow, and then do it all over again the next weekend.
Parke has left a true legacy on this earth and is survived by his loving wife Emily Brown Cox; children Tina Cox, Karen Cox Reber, Jolene Johnson, David Cox (deceased) daughter-in-law Elaine Cox and Don (Laurie) Cox; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by many family members and relatives which surely has made for the most beautiful reunion. Of those awaiting him on the other side was his oldest son David.
The family would like to extend their sincere love and appreciation for all of Parke’s caregivers, particularly the nurses from Applegate Hospice and all the staff at The Abbington Senior Living. Our time with Parke this past year has largely been affected by their professional and tender care and we can’t thank them enough.
A visitation will be held Thursday, March 7, from 5-7 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 8, at 10 a.m. in the Morningside Stake Center, 881 South River Road, St. George, Utah. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery located at 1777 South Dixie Drive.
Friends and family who are unable to attend are invited to click here to view the services online.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Click here to visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.