Ralph Bruce Cox

Ralph B. Cox passed away on August 19, 2022.

He was the first child of Percival and Millicent Cox born in Great Falls, MT on January 25, 1931. He attended Franklin Elementary School and graduated from Great Falls High in 1949.

Ralph joined MANG in 1948 and was called to active duty in 1951, serving in the Air Force as an Electrician and a Flight Engineer until retirement as a Master Sergeant in October of 1971. Ralph was awarded an air medal with Oak Leaf clusters for 176 combat missions during the Vietnam conflict along with numerous other medals. After the Air Force, he went to work for Montana Power and retired in 1988.

He married Lorraine Beck in 1955 and to this union, three children were born. The couple divorced, and he later married Lois Capes and another child was born. This marriage also ended in divorce. Ralph and Lorraine were remarried in 1967 until her passing in June of 2004. On April l, 2008, he married Alta Mae Buford. They spent recent years traveling and enjoying life together on cruises and in their recreational vehicle.

He was a member of West Side United Methodist Church, VP of the Malmstrom Historic Society, and a lifetime member of VFW Post 1087.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles; and brother-in-law Clifford Amdahl.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Alta Mae; sons, Robert (Paula) and Terry (Julie); daughters, Debra (Mark) and Sherry (Mark); eleven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Diane Amdahl; and stepchildren, Charla (Tim) Bunker and Clinton (Nancy) Buford; and their families.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Westside United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Westside United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.