Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Golden Don Cozzens, passed away on Thurs. Feb 25th, 2016 in St. George, Utah of complications related to diabetes. His wife, five sons and other family members were at his bedside. Don was born on May 29th, 1936 in Lovell, Wyoming to Golden E. and Wilma Lynn Cozzens, 2nd in a family of five sons who were raised on a small farm in Cowley, Wyoming. He married Helen Welch, also of Cowley, on July 5th, 1954. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti, Utah Temple on Nov. 17th, 1962.
Don and Helen have been married for 62 years but their relationship began long before that. They met in first grade at Cowley Elementary and were classmates through all 12 years of school, lived on adjacent farms, often sat together on the school bus and sometimes sought each other out when they both got to go to the Sat. matinee when Roy Rogers and Dale Evens movies were the rage and your ticket cost only a dime. Their senior year they were elected student body president and vice president.
Their first two years of marriage they lived in Yellowstone Park, Cody and Lovell, Wy. Then because work became scarce they made the decision to come to Salt Lake. They have been in Utah ever since, having lived in Salt Lake for five years, Moab for five, then settling in Draper where they raised their family and have resided for the past fifty years.
Don worked for most of his life in construction, principally as a heavy equipment operator and superintendent. He developed skills and abilities that almost turned his work with a Caterpillar tractor into an art form. He, in turn, hired and trained many young men over the years, including his own sons, three of whom have chosen the construction and trucking business as their profession as well.
He was a perfect father for boys, a fun dad but strict when he needed to be. He supported them in all their pursuits, recreated with them and, taught them the value of hard work and respect for other people.
Don\s special interests were coaching Little League and church basketball games, gardening and landscaping, raising horses, hunting, his cabin in Star Valley, Wyoming, and always supporting his kids and Helen in their endeavors..... He had a special gift for making friends of people of all ages and usually developed with each acquaintance a cute little connection or nickname of some kind. He was well known for his sense of humor, his wit and his tall stories. He was our provider, our teacher, our councilor and our loyal friend, a fine and much loved father and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife Helen, five sons Mitchell, Martin (Lisa), Blane (Sherrie), Hal (Nancy), Ken (Vickie) fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Cambrie and a daughter-in-law, Sandra.
Funeral services will be held on Sat. March 5th at 11:00 a.m. in the Boulter St. LDS chapel at 1480 East 13006 South in Draper. Viewings will be held Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. and Sat. morning from 9:30 until 10:45 at the same building. Interment Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 East 10600 South in Sandy, Utah
