Lavern Lee "Vern" Cox

Lavern Lee “Vern” Cox, 72, of Spokane Valley, passed away on August 17, 2026. He was born on December 21, 1953.

Vern was truly one of a kind. He was quick with a joke and always had a way of making people laugh. He had a strong personality and was probably one of the most stubborn people you could ever meet—but that was just Vern.

Vern worked as a mill worker and was proud of the life he built. He loved classic cars, like his Mercury, which he proudly called the “Purple People Eater,” car shows, motorcycle rides, trips to Sturgis, and spending time at his favorite coffee shops.

Vern loved his dogs, Sam and Bo, who were a big part of his life and his family.

Vern is survived by his siblings Jim Cox, Joyce Ysen, and Norman Cox; his niece Pamela Erickson; great-nieces Elisha Henning and Kristina Hill; his best friend Jake Zuidema; and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Dorothy Cox and his siblings Deann Cox and Bob Cox.

Vern lived life his own way, with a good joke, a good story, a motorcycle, and a coffee shop never too far away. He will be missed by many and never forgotten.