Marilynn Lavelle Cox

Marilynn Lavelle Cox passed away peacefully on September 1 at Central Wyoming Hospice Center in Casper, Wyoming, surrounded by many loving family members. She was the oldest child born to parents Reginaldo and Dorethea (Mahl) Durant on February 5, 1933 at their home in Newton, Iowa. Reginaldo named her after his favorite Broadway musical star, Marilyn Miller. Marilynn Durant later added the extra “n” to her first name.

As a very young child, she endured some considerable hardships. She lost her first brother Ronnie when she was only a year old, and at age five her biological father to a tragic accident. Another brother Ragan passed away when she was in high school. Marilynn had two other Durant siblings, brother Richard and sister Sondra. Her mother married Mike Hoyt in 1940 and they blessed her with two new siblings, brother David and baby sister Kathleen. Some of her favorite memories of being a child were walking to church with her grandmother on cool summer nights, her uncle Bob spoiling her with gifts, Sunday school, Catechism class, junior choir, mixed choir and quartet. At Newton High School, she was involved in many activities. Those included mixed choir, freshmen cheerleader, freshman class secretary and the drum majorette mascot for the senior high twirlers. Her favorite class was English. After graduating from high school, she moved to Des Moines, Iowa and worked for an insurance company. She next landed a job in El Paso, Texas where she was a secretary to a colonel at Bliss AFB. Shortly after this, she returned to Des Moines and it was there that she met the love of her life, Donald Cox. He played on Drake University’s basketball team and she attended many games. One New Year’s Eve, he walked into a bar while she was there with a friend, and he and his friend asked if they could sit with them. She fell in love first with his “legs” and then with him. They were married in 1953 and enjoyed 59 years of marriage. Their union brought about three children, Robin, Jon and Tony. Marilynn and Don moved from Iowa to Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1958. She began working as a secretary at Convair Aviation in 1960 and later at Boeing. She remarked that her Boeing job was her most prestigious job.

Her next job was as a secretary for HC Smith Construction Company and her longest tenured position was again as a secretary for Continental Pipeline Company for 17 years. Later in life, Marilynn worked in Hawaii for Boeing again, this time as Director of Personnel. Marilynn was known as a master decorator of her home, both inside and out. She was an incredible cook, baker and an immaculate housekeeper. Those who knew her constantly remarked on how well she kept her home. While she enjoyed many activities, her favorite by far was playing bridge, both competitively and recreationally. She was also an avid reader and crossword puzzle devotee. She was a very beautiful lady and took pride in her sartorial splendor as well. In 1997, she and Don moved to Riverton, Wyoming where they both remained for the rest of their lives. Marilynn loved every holiday season, especially Christmas, Halloween and Easter. She adorned her home in the most festive and unique ways for each particular season. She took tremendous pride in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. All of them were truly her love and joy in life. She held her extended family and numerous friends in high esteem as well. Marilynn will forever be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She is survived by her three children, Robin (Erik) Dinkelman, Jon (Tammy) Cox and Tony (Carol) Cox, sisters Sondra Ratliff and Kathy (Keith) Sevenbergen, 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Marilynn was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Mike Hoyt, brothers Ronnie, Richard and Ragan Durant, brother David (Judy) Hoyt, granddaughter Ragan Nunu and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 am, Saturday, October 12 at the Riverton Reach Foundation, 622 North 8th West in Riverton, Wyoming.