Lee Cox passed away Dec. 27, 2016 unexpectedly in Centralia. He was born in Wessington, S.D., May 30, 1947, and moved to Tenino, Wash., when he was a small boy.
He attended and graduated from Tenino High School and Centralia College. During his time at Centralia College, he met the love of his life, Kathy Turner Cox and they married July 3, 1968, in Olympia, Wash. After moving from Tenino in 1985, they continued to reside in their family home in Centralia, until the time of his death. Together, Lee and Kathy had three children, daughters, Kimberley Lee (Joe) Mask and Kelli Lee Jett; son, Kory Lee Cox; and adoped son, Craig Huffman and his wife, Sam Huffman.
Lee worked all his adult life in the woods. In the beginning, he partnered with his father, driving log trucks and becoming known as one of the best heavy equipment operators (shovel operator,) in the business at the time of his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Freelen and Helen (Wells) Cox; and sister, Bobbie Allen.
Lee is survived by his wife, Kathy; sister, Marcella Morgan; three children; seven grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; nephew, Bryan Lambert; nieces, Karen (Allen) Johnson and Trina Allen; nephews, Kelly Allen and Keith Allen; many cousins; his brother from another mother, Tom Mail; and adopted son, Craig (Sam) Huffman.
Lee will be remembered for his honesty, integrity and hardworking values of life to his many friends and family.
A celebration of life will be held Jan. 15, 2017, at 1 p.m., at the Tenino Eagles, 349 Sussex Ave., Tenino, Wash. In memory of Lee, RED t-shirts are requested attire.
All remembrance donations, may be made to the Tenino FFA or at the Lee Cox Memorial Fund using the following link: www.gofundme.com/leecoxmemorialfund.
