Albert Gerald Cox

Albert Gerald (Jerry) Cox, 95, of Rigby Idaho passed away peacefully in his home on November 18, 2023 surrounded by his family.

Jerry was born to Evelyn May and Eli Ashton Cox on May 24, 1928 in Shelley, Idaho. He attended school in the Jameston, Bingham County, area where he also spent summers riding horses and having a great time with his cousins Bill and Bob Cox in the Wolverine Hills. They were close and had many exciting times during those years.

Jerry graduated from Shelley High School and worked for his father in their potato warehouse. In 1950 Jerry enlisted to serve in the United State Air Force, where he served in Germany in the 2nd Radio Squadron Mobile, focused on running radio intercepts. Jerry was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Occupation Medal (Germany) during his service in the US Air Force.

After being honorably discharged from the US Air Force Jerry attended college at Utah State University. After graduating he went to work as a cost engineer for Stearns-Roger, a Denver based engineering and construction firm.

Jerry had the opportunity to travel with his work and spent some time in Israel. He took deep sea diving lessons in the Red Sea while there. This served him well later in life when, in August of 1971, he was able to recover the body of his nephew, Jeff Dineen, who had been involved in a traffic crash around Palisades Reservoir in Bonneville County, Idaho. Jeff was thrown from a vehicle and ended up in the water. Jerry persisted in his search after local agencies had to stop diving and eventually located Jeff’s body. Jerry’s sister Betty was always grateful to her brother Jerry for his untiring and determined efforts.

Jerry married the love of his life, Beverly Dawn Polson. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Ogden, Utah temple. They were blessed with three sons; Michael, Vance, and Brett. Jerry and Beverly had to endure the heartbreak of the loss of their youngest son, Brett to Leukemia in 1988.

After retiring from Stearns-Roger, Jerry and his family moved back to Idaho to be close to family and get back to their roots. Jerry went to work in retail sales and business. He owned and ran the grocery store at Macks Inn, Idaho until it burned down in 1989.

Jerry was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served in various callings during his life. Jerry and his wife, Beverly, served in the Martin’s Cove Mission in 2008 and 2009.

Jerry enjoyed camping with family and spending quality time with his grandchildren, who were the joy of his life.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife Beverly Dawn Cox, his two sons Michael (Jennifer) Cox, and Vance (Kami) Cox, and 10 grandchildren who loved him dearly and always wanted to spend time with him.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents Eli Ashton and Evelyn May Cox, Sister Betty Dineen, brothers Theron and Raymond Cox, and his Son Brett Eli Cox.

Jerry was under the care of Aspen Home Hospice, who provided the most wonderful nurses and care. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks for the quality treatment Jerry got during his last couple months of life and the care and love they showed mom and all of us during this time. They were truly a blessing to all of us.

A funeral service will be held under the direction of Eckersell Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., at the Ririe LDS Stake Center (14061 N 130th Rd East, Ririe, Idaho). Interment will be at the Taylor Cemetery with Military Funeral Honors to be presented there.