John L. (Johnnie) Cox, 75, Weippe
John L. Cox (Johnnie), 75, of Weippe, died Nov. 27, 2011, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, in Lewiston due to complications from pneumonia.
John was born June 4, 1936, in Eddy, Mont., and attended school in Noxon, Mont. He was enlisted in the U.S. Army between 1953 and 1956, where he was stationed on the island of Guam in support of the Korean War. After the military, he worked a variety of jobs in various places, such as sawmills, cattle ranches, and even a steel foundry in Indiana. He finally settled down in the great Northwest and went to work at Jaype Plywood Mill in Pierce as a forklift operator (and a practical joker). He spent 30 years working at the mill until cancer bit him in the butt and initiated his retirement.
His good nature and continuous shenanigans grew his extended family to include a large cast of characters from the surrounding areas. He volunteered his time to many community projects and was a skilled carpenter, an avid outdoorsman and a capable mandolin player. He loved fishing, hunting, gardening, and carpentry-related hobbies.
Johnnie is survived by his wife; two daughters; four sons; four brothers; two sisters; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by daughter Tammi (Klug) Ulrich; parents Ernest and Dorothy Cox; brothers, Ed, Charles, Ernest, Raymond, Fredrick, Calvin and Alfred; and sister Marie.
Cremation has taken place, and an event to celebrate Johnnie's life will take place in the future near Weippe.
The Lewiston Tribune, November 30, 2011, p. 2C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock