Douglas Dyreng Cox

Douglas Dyreng Cox, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, died at home on June 13, 2018.  Doug, the youngest of four children, was born to Edward Parry and Ruby Dyreng Cox in Manti, Utah on February 22, 1931.  He grew up in Manti, and later Nephi, Utah. His father was a forest ranger and Doug had fond memories of many outdoor adventures in the mountains during his childhood and teenage years. He attended the University of Utah, and after his service in the army, he moved to Logan, where he graduated from Utah State University with a degree in engineering.

While in Logan he met Evelyn Burnham. They married on June 4, 1955, and enjoyed 63 years of true love and companionship. Doug and Evelyn are the parents of six children:  Lyn (Brian) Rogers; Mark (Phyllis); Carolyn (Jim Lohse); Phil (Nicole); Glenn (Amy); and Matt (Denise). After a few years spent crisscrossing the U.S., Doug and Evelyn settled in Bountiful in 1959, and, with the exception of seven years (1972-78) spent in Huntsville, Alabama, lived there until they moved to Centerville in 2012.

Doug was very sociable, generally had a smile on his face and could talk to anyone. He was a generous man, always willing to serve and help family, friends, neighbors and strangers alike. 

Doug was very handy and seemed to be able to fix anything.  After working hard all day, he often came home to some type of project. He finished the basements of three separate houses (he really did not enjoy the plumbing!), built decks, and helped his kids with their home improvement projects. Doug was a meticulous craftsman with wood, creating beautiful pieces for his home and for his children. 

He was active in the LDS church throughout his life, serving in a number of positions.  After Doug retired, he and Evelyn fulfilled his longtime goal as they served a mission in the Australia Brisbane mission, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed. He dearly loved his children and grandchildren and supported them in all their endeavors.  

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Ed (Jane), Virginia (Tone Webster and Bob Candrian) and Carol Crane. His wife, Evelyn, his children and their spouses, 24 grandchildren, 37 great- grandchildren and a brother-in-law, James Crane, survive him.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Monday, June 18th, at the LDS ward house located at 690 North 400 West in Centerville, with interment to follow in the Manti City Cemetery at 3 p.m. A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 17th from 7-8:30 pm at Russon  Mortuary in Bountiful (295 North Main St.) and also Monday from 9:30-10:30 am at the church prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, Doug's family would welcome donations in his memory to Primary Children's, Shriner's Hospital for Children or the LDS Humanitarian Fund.