Lester Allen Cox, age 84, died September 11, 2020 at his home in Orderville, Utah. Allen was born November 8, 1935 in St. George, Utah to Vera Emily Parkinson and Lester Filemon Cox, one of five children. He married Claris Brown on March 15, 1962, and was sealed to her in the St. George Temple on June 22, 1963.
He graduated from Hurricane High School, and from Dixie Junior College with a certificate in Auto Mechanics, and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1958. He served in the Signal Corps in Saumur, France, and was honorably discharged on May 25, 1960, having achieved the rank of E-4. Allen drove a delivery trucks for Rocky Mountain Produce Co., Lewis Meats, and Associated Food Stores, and retired in 1997. During his retirement he enjoyed doing temple work at the St. George, Utah, LDS Temple. Allen and Claris served two missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the first was a service mission in St. George Utah, and the second was in the Nigeria, Ibadan mission. During his life Allen served in the LDS Church as a Ward Historical Clerk, Ward Financial Clerk, Ward Executive Secretary, and High Priest Group Leader.
He loved airplanes and obtained his private pilot’s license in 1967. He made hundreds of collectible model planes over his lifetime, many of which have been donated for display at Nellis Airforce Base.
Allen is survived by his wife Claris Cox of Orderville, Utah; children Katrina Jacob of St. George, UT, Jody Cox of Orderville, UT, Steven Cox of Orderville, UT, Peni Cox of Prescott Valley, AZ, David (Jolene) Cox of West Jordan, UT, Holly (Aaron) Wilcox of Orderville, UT, Julie Stewart of Leeds, UT, Spencer Cox of Tooele, UT, Curtis (Shalene) Cox of Kanab, UT, and Jenny (Nick) Hoffman of Washington, UT; sisters Karren Iverson and Carla Young; 21 grandchildren and 12 and ½ great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 1:00 PM in the Orderville, Utah, LDS Church, followed by interment in the Orderville Town Cemetery. Public viewings will be held at the Orderville LDS Church on Friday, September 18, from 5:00-7:00 PM and on Saturday, September 19, 2020 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM. Services were arranged with Mosdell Mortuary.