Donald Lee Cox, 85, passed away at his home in Colfax on September 7, 2025. Born in Longview, Texas, his family moved to Seattle early in World War II, so his parents could support the war effort in the shipyards and at Boeing. They moved to Spokane when he was in grade school, graduating from North Central High in 1957. It was his friends and coaches that taught him the value of self-discipline and the worth of committing to a cause. Enrolling at Whitworth College the following fall, he began to learn the sport of baseball and was fortunate to play with talented athletes on a National Championship team in 1960.

While laboring through classes and generally lacking purpose, he met a country girl from Colfax named Sherry Schluneger who loved life and loved God. It is she who showed him the difference in behavior between knowing about God and trusting Him as redeemer and Lord. They began a life together in 1963 as camp counselors and by God's grace enjoyed 63 years raising a family and working together to do their part in helping make schools and school districts better places for learning. Daughter Julie McBride (Ben) and son Craig (Kelli), even as children, were an encouragement and inspiration to their parents.

Life and opportunities moved the family to several locations in Washington: Yakima, Longview, Cashmere, back to Yakima, and finally to Colfax in 1990 after getting a doctorate at Washington State University. The move was home to Sherry after thirty years and gave Don a dream of being a practicing superintendent while preparing aspiring administrators in the graduate program at WSU.

Retiring after 36 years in K-12 education, Don accepted a position as Associate Professor of Education working with a talented team in developing a field-based certification program for administrators. He was also appointed to the Washington State House of Representatives where he served from 1999-2007 and then once more in 2009, working on both K-12 and Higher Education issues. After Olympia, Don was appointed Trustee to Community Colleges of Spokane, and served as a Commissioner to Port of Whitman. He continued to serve on the board for Whitman County Chaplaincy and the Council for Aging and Human Services until the time of his death.

Family, however, was his greatest joy. The activities of daughter Julie McBride (Ben), and son Craig (Kelli) were all joint affairs. It became a tradition that took hold for his grandchildren; Joshua McBride (Jessica), Morgan Schafer (Kurt), Amanda Gibbs (Garrett), Thomson Lee Cox, Madison Case (Reagan), Scott Isaac McBride, and Annalee Sanders (Mason). Gatherings and times following grandchildren's events created special memories. Most recently these events were around his great-grandchildren; Barrett, Colby, and Rylee McBride, Kylla, Klark, and Krimsyn Schafer, Hudson and Darcy Gibbs, and Honey Sanders.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Virginia Cox, and grandson, Thomson, and is survived by the family he loved. The family suggests memorial donations to the First Baptist Church in Colfax, the Child Evangelism, and Gideons International.

A memorial service for Don will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Colfax. Corbeill Funeral Homes is caring for the family. On-line condolences may be made at www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com