Donald James Cox

Lt. Col. Donald James Cox, USAF (Ret.), 82, passed away October 31, 2024 in his home in West Des Moines, Iowa. His life was inextricably intertwined with his passion for flight and family. After graduating from Des Moines East High School in 1961 and Drake University (Des Moines) in 1966, he began teaching at Indianola High School which gave him enough money to earn his private license in his Piper Colt. “I then realized that someone would actually PAY you to fly an airplane and signed up with the Air Force.” He enlisted on October 2, 1967.

Soon after he married Cynthia Ann Smith on July 5, 1968 in Kansas City, Missouri, celebrating 56 years together this year. They spent a year in pilot training at Moody AFB in Valdosta Georgia and a summer at Castle AFB in California for KC-135 training. Their early years were spent embracing the history and unique sights as they moved around the country. Auctions, antiquing, flea markets and touring destinations were frequent haunts, especially in their next assignment in New England.

By Fall 1969 the young couple was stationed at Plattsburg AFB, New York and started a family, Courtney Elizabeth (born 1971) and Creighton Andrew (Born 1975). Captain Don Cox flew KC-135 refueling tankers, standing “alert” one week out of three in a bunker next to the runway. He had two tanker tours in SE Asia where he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, among a list of other accolades.

The family spent a brief two years in South Burlington, Vermont where Don began a lifelong association with the Civil Air Patrol as the Air Force Liaison Officer. The young family thoroughly enjoyed history, beauty, memorable camping trips and friendships there. USAF-CAP National Headquarters brought him to Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama and promoted him to Major. Wurtsmith AFB called him back to piloting tankers and standing watch during the Cold War. Once he “did his part to deter nuclear holocaust and end the Cold War” he was transferred to Iowa as Iowa Liaison Officer before he retired as Lieutenant Colonel in his home state near dear family and friends.

“I would like to think I made a more personal contribution to the aviation community through my work in Search and Rescue and Aviation Education.” CAP search and rescue, aviation recruitment, SAR training, public education especially young students at aviation summer camps, continued to be his passion. He received invitations to share his theory of flight demonstrations at local and national conferences, earning the Frank G. Brewer Aerospace Award as the top Aerospace Educator in a seven-state region.

Retiring from the Air Force in August 1992, Don soon combined his passion for music, musical instruments and music machines when he became Director of Operations at Rieman Music for eight years. He continued to rebuild player pianos and was especially proud of the baby grand he gifted to Creighton. Cyndi and Don loved to host caroling parties in each of their homes, sometimes hosting 200 people who might try their endurance by pumping the foot paddles to power the player piano rolls through several stanzas of Christmas Carols.
Don’s Iowa roots brought him joy in Des Moines with his renewed association with high school friends and nearby family. He spent more time with his “hero,” his brother, Bill and his wife, Helen as time and travel to Missouri would allow, visiting their daughters Tracey and Linda, too. Nephew Steve shared his passion for Harley Davidson adventures and swapped tools and ideas frequently for DIY projects. High school friends were always welcome, but his annual reunion party in his backyard pool has become legendary as the stories get embellished each year. Neighbors and new friends will miss his helpful contributions, especially with the snowblower, but moreover his block parties and Halloween hijinks.

Don and his Softail Harley Davidson have touched all but four of the contiguous United States. Route 66, Appalachian Trail, Black Hills South Dakota and Iowa trips with Creighton were his favorite memories on his bike. He owned and flew his own plane on mostly day flights in his experimental VANS RV-7A. His favorite memories were sharing his plane with his grandkids, Stella and Braeden, who were the center of his world. He lavished them with love and support for their numerous talents and achievements, making every celebration and performance a priority.

Don’s optimism and gratitude shaped our view of the world. As he wrote enthusiastically near the end of his prostate cancer treatment. “I see the light at the end of the tunnel… I’m actually pretty lucky.”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don's name to Iowa Aviation Promotion Group, 3700 SE Convenience Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50021.

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