Mr. Gary Grant Cox of Red Deer County, Alberta passed away at home on Friday, May 26, 2023 at the age of 84 years. Gary was born on September 8, 1938, to Lloyd Wilsey Cox and Margaret Balentine Cox (nee Young) in Hardisty, Alberta. He was the eldest of three children. His sister, Alice arrived three years later and Mary-Jane, nine years later.

Gary’s dad was in the Air Force during World War II, and stayed in the Forces for a time after, so they lived in a few different places. Gary decided at an early age that city life was not for him, and he went back to the Lougheed area. There, he met Kay Frances Johnson, and they were married in April 1960. They had four children, Lorne, Kim, Lloyd and Lisa. They remained in Lougheed with their family until about 1982, when work took Gary to the Sylvan Lake area. They remained in Sylvan for two years and then moved to Red Deer in 1984. By that time, Lorne and Kim were married and living with their families in the Killam and Lougheed areas. Lloyd was playing Junior Hockey and was in different places with his early hockey career. Lisa was the only one left at home with her parents. They lived in what was then known as Northwood Estates.

In 1999, Gary and Kay moved back to Lougheed, which was Kay’s hometown. They stayed there until Kay’s passing in 2004. Gary was heartbroken to lose Kay and at loose ends.

In 2005, Gary started seeing Colleen, a former neighbor and Kay’s friend. In early 2006, they decided they would go on a month-long camping trip through the States and, if they could do that together, they would consider living together. The trip was a success and Gary moved back to Red Deer, with his trusty dog, Tuffy, to live with Colleen.

In September 2011, Gary and Colleen married, and in November, moved to their new home in Red Deer County. Gary loved living on the acreage with the horses, dogs and cats. He often said he had no intention of leaving there while he was still alive – and he didn’t.

Gary had been athletic as a kid and loved playing sports, particularly boxing, as a youth. As an adult, he coached the Lougheed Baron’s men’s baseball team. The team made the Provincials in early 1980 and 1982, medaling both times. They got silver one year and gold the other. He passed on his love of sports to his children, and they continue the tradition, sports being a big part of the lives of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gary talked about his love of the outdoors and camping, even as a youngster. He and Kay took their family camping, fishing, and some of them, hunting. He and Kay camped and rode quads for years.

After Gary and Colleen got together, they camped and rode horses out in the mountains, in the Elk Creek area. Gary spent some summers out there helping manage the free-range cows on the leased Crown Land. He was so happy doing that, riding his horses, moving cattle, and camping all summer. It was a family affair with camping, including taking out the horses, dogs and at least one cat. Anyone who could was welcome to join the campout for as long as they could. He never lost his love of the mountains, camping or being outdoors.

Gary was so proud of all the family and their achievements.

Gary will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Colleen; his son, Lorne and his wife, Barb; their son, Jordan and his wife, Morgan and their children, Harper and Hudson; their daughter, Janelle and her husband, Adam Clark and their son, Evan; his daughter, Kim and her sons, Jim and his wife, Lisa and their sons, David and William; Ken and his wife, Brenda and their children, Rylan, Porter, and Brianna; Byron and his wife, Jodie and their children, Blake and Abigail; his son, Lloyd and Theresa and their respective children, Bryce and his wife, Brittney and their children, Denver and Zoe; Alex Donaghy and her partner, Cameron; Cassie and her husband, Zack Campbell and their children, Andi-May and Bowen; and Galen Donaghy; his daughter, Lisa and her partner, Angie; and his step-children, Trish Palichuk and her partner, Joshua Goldberg; and Bob Palichuk. He will also be sadly missed by his sisters, Alice and her husband, Orest Stefiszyn and Mary-Jane Cox, as well as his extended family and many dear friends who also mourn Gary’s passing.

Gary was 84, and as expected, he had lost many family members over the years. This included his parents, Lloyd and Margaret; his first wife, Kay; his mother-in-law, Ruth Gordon; his son-in-law, Pat Martin; his sisters-in-law, Wendy Semeniuk and Ieleen Atkinson; his brothers-in-law, Harry Semeniuk and Kenneth Atkinson; his niece, Stefanie Dick and his nephew, Donovan Atkinson.

An Informal Gathering will be held on Sunday, June 4, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Gary and Colleen’s home to share stories, laughs, food and beverages. Please contact Colleen or one of the family members for directions, should you need them.

A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at the Lougheed Community Hall, Lougheed, Alberta at 2:00 pm.

If desired, Memorial Donations in Gary’s honor may be made directly to a Charity of the Donor’s choice. Gary was partial to STARS Air Ambulance; a ride from them saved his life after his horseback riding accident. He loved wild horses, so any charity that cares for them or any other animal would also be ones he would support.

Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER.

• Date : 2023-06-03
• Location : (Red Deer) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com