Orlan R. Cox
September 6, 1930 – April 1, 2012
Orlan R. Cox, age 81, a resident of Golden, Colorado since 1971 and formerly of Montevideo, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at his home at the Golden Pond Retirement Community. He was a retired school administrator, loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather.
Orlan Rodney Cox was born on a farm during the Great Depression on September 6, 1930 in Becker, Minnesota to the late John William and Louise Osa (Ellefson) Cox. He was a 1948 graduate of Becker High School. He married Helen Louise Bell on September 6, 1952 in Monticello, Minnesota. He served honorably in the United States Army from 1953 to 1954.
He was a graduate of St. Cloud State University and a graduate of the University of Minnesota’s College of Education. He served as a teacher in Atwater, Minnesota from 1955 to 1958. He was a principal in Royalton 1958 to 1963; a principal at Central Junior High School in Montevideo, Minnesota from 1963 to 1971; the principal of Golden High School from 1971 to 1976; Principal at Alameda Junior High from 1976 until 1988. He later served as a truancy officer in Jefferson County (and truly enjoyed helping students solve the problems that kept them from school). Orlan volunteered in the emergency room at Lutheran Hospital and wrote grants which supported educational, medical, and historical projects all over Colorado, and taught grant writing classes. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers John and Lyle, and an infant son, Marcus.
Orlan was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Denver. He had formerly been a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Golden and served the Lord in many ways, including serving on the Church Council.
Orlan was a Renaissance man. He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, fishing, and he could fix anything around the house from plumbing to electrical to drywall. He was artistic and carved beautiful animals and other objects out of wood. He was an avid gardener and spent many hours creating and tending his yard and gardens. He also collected American Flyer model trains. He will be best remembered for his down-to-earth practicality, and quiet leadership.
He is survived by his loving wife: Helen of Golden, Colorado; his son: Barton R. Cox of Denver, Colorado; two daughters: Allison G. (Greg) Griffin of Thornton, Colorado; and Carmen J. (Tom) Vien of Colorado Springs; two grandchildren: Mitchell (Angela) Griffin and Angela Grace Griffin of Thornton, Colorado. He is also survived by two brothers: LeRoy L. (Loretta) Cox of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Clinton C. (Evelyn) Cox of Becker, Minnesota; and his sister: Lorraine R. Milner of Mount Lake Terrace, Washington.
A memorial mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at St. John’s Cathedral, 1350 Washington Street, Denver, Colorado 80203. He will be inurned at the All Souls’ Walk Columbarium at the Cathedral.
Orlan was an animal lover – especially dogs. Memorials in Orlan’s name may be made to the Foothills Animal Shelter, 580 Mc Intyre Street, Golden, Colorado 80401. http://www.foothillsanimalshelter.org/