Douglas Oliver Jacox, 91, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. A devoted husband, father of ten, grandfather to many, and a lifelong music educator and mentor, Doug leaves behind a legacy rich in music, learning, and love.
Born on September 7, 1934, in Hood River, Oregon to Cecil and Grace Jacox (Johnson), Doug was born during the Great Depression and grew up in humble surroundings. His family raised chickens and goats, and picked strawberries to help make ends meet. These formative experiences instilled in him an appreciation for hard work, resourcefulness, and perseverance.
Doug graduated from Parkdale High School in Parkdale, Oregon. He went on to become the first member of his family to earn a college degree—a milestone made possible through the GI Bill following his service in the U.S. Army. Doug was stationed in Okinawa shortly after the Korean War as part of Army Intelligence and served his country with honor and dedication as a morse intercept operator. After returning home, he pursued higher education with vigor. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Lewis & Clark College in Portland and later completed a master’s degree at Portland State University. His academic journey reflected his lifelong commitment to learning, a value he would pass on to generations of students.
In 1958, Doug met the love of his life, Margaret (Peggy) Patrick, beginning a partnership that would shape the rest of his days. They were wed two years later and enjoyed a marriage that spanned 64 years, until Peggy’s passing in the summer of 2024. Their union was marked by deep, tender devotion and unwavering mutual respect. Doug and Peggy shared life’s joys and trials side by side and hand in hand, finding comfort, laughter, and harmony in one another’s presence. Their enduring love stood as a testament to commitment, companionship, and the profound beauty of shared love. Together, they devoted themselves to raising ten children, guiding them with patience, good advice, and humor. Their love story will forever inspire their children and those that knew them.
Doug dedicated over five decades to music education as a teacher and conductor of bands. He played cornet and trumpet for more than 80 years and shared his passion for music not only with countless students but also with his children and grandchildren. To support his school programs, he fixed and sold pianos so that he could purchase instruments for his bands—a testament to both his ingenuity and devotion.
His musical talents extended beyond the classroom: he was an accomplished classical trumpet player who also loved performing in Dixieland bands, jazz ensembles, and dance bands. A collector of jazz and classical LPs, if he wasn’t making music, he was usually listening to it.
Outside of music, Doug was a voracious reader who also delighted in crossword puzzles and chess matches. In more recent years, his creativity was expressed in compelling poetry. A steadfast member of his church and community, Doug had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and conversation—often engaging others with lively discussions punctuated by witty jokes, dry satire, limericks, puns, and clever wordplay. His humor was infectious; those who knew him remember not just what he said but how he made them laugh.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Margaret (Patrick) Jacox; granddaughter Calla Kay Jacox; parents Cecil Jacox and Grace (Johnson) Walters; and brothers Donald Jacox and Michael Jacox.
He is survived by his brother Norman Jacox, and his children: Jeffery (Patricia), Elizabeth, Elaine (Edward), Joanna (Thomas), Evangeline (Michael), James (Gretchen), Jennifer (Ryan), Jeannette (Bryan), Ellen (Luke), and Conrad (Alexa). His legacy continues through his grandchildren—Madeline (Jack), Joshua, Gavin, Olivia, Collin, Johann, Brooke, Lauren, Alma, Eleanor, Elise, Sarah, Dexter, Elias, Phineas, Karina, Caroline, Maxwell, Vivien, Oliver, Cora, Margaret, Genevieve, Thomas, Morgan, Aurora, Wesley, Xavier —and great-grandchildren Soren and Lyra.
Doug’s life was one of conviction, courage, faith, and unwavering love for his family; he lived with integrity and purpose. His influence echoes through the music he shared, the children he raised, and the students taught and inspired.
May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him—and may the music he loved so dearly continue to resound through generations to come.
Born on September 7, 1934, in Hood River, Oregon to Cecil and Grace Jacox (Johnson), Doug was born during the Great Depression and grew up in humble surroundings. His family raised chickens and goats, and picked strawberries to help make ends meet. These formative experiences instilled in him an appreciation for hard work, resourcefulness, and perseverance.
Doug graduated from Parkdale High School in Parkdale, Oregon. He went on to become the first member of his family to earn a college degree—a milestone made possible through the GI Bill following his service in the U.S. Army. Doug was stationed in Okinawa shortly after the Korean War as part of Army Intelligence and served his country with honor and dedication as a morse intercept operator. After returning home, he pursued higher education with vigor. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Lewis & Clark College in Portland and later completed a master’s degree at Portland State University. His academic journey reflected his lifelong commitment to learning, a value he would pass on to generations of students.
In 1958, Doug met the love of his life, Margaret (Peggy) Patrick, beginning a partnership that would shape the rest of his days. They were wed two years later and enjoyed a marriage that spanned 64 years, until Peggy’s passing in the summer of 2024. Their union was marked by deep, tender devotion and unwavering mutual respect. Doug and Peggy shared life’s joys and trials side by side and hand in hand, finding comfort, laughter, and harmony in one another’s presence. Their enduring love stood as a testament to commitment, companionship, and the profound beauty of shared love. Together, they devoted themselves to raising ten children, guiding them with patience, good advice, and humor. Their love story will forever inspire their children and those that knew them.
Doug dedicated over five decades to music education as a teacher and conductor of bands. He played cornet and trumpet for more than 80 years and shared his passion for music not only with countless students but also with his children and grandchildren. To support his school programs, he fixed and sold pianos so that he could purchase instruments for his bands—a testament to both his ingenuity and devotion.
His musical talents extended beyond the classroom: he was an accomplished classical trumpet player who also loved performing in Dixieland bands, jazz ensembles, and dance bands. A collector of jazz and classical LPs, if he wasn’t making music, he was usually listening to it.
Outside of music, Doug was a voracious reader who also delighted in crossword puzzles and chess matches. In more recent years, his creativity was expressed in compelling poetry. A steadfast member of his church and community, Doug had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and conversation—often engaging others with lively discussions punctuated by witty jokes, dry satire, limericks, puns, and clever wordplay. His humor was infectious; those who knew him remember not just what he said but how he made them laugh.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Margaret (Patrick) Jacox; granddaughter Calla Kay Jacox; parents Cecil Jacox and Grace (Johnson) Walters; and brothers Donald Jacox and Michael Jacox.
He is survived by his brother Norman Jacox, and his children: Jeffery (Patricia), Elizabeth, Elaine (Edward), Joanna (Thomas), Evangeline (Michael), James (Gretchen), Jennifer (Ryan), Jeannette (Bryan), Ellen (Luke), and Conrad (Alexa). His legacy continues through his grandchildren—Madeline (Jack), Joshua, Gavin, Olivia, Collin, Johann, Brooke, Lauren, Alma, Eleanor, Elise, Sarah, Dexter, Elias, Phineas, Karina, Caroline, Maxwell, Vivien, Oliver, Cora, Margaret, Genevieve, Thomas, Morgan, Aurora, Wesley, Xavier —and great-grandchildren Soren and Lyra.
Doug’s life was one of conviction, courage, faith, and unwavering love for his family; he lived with integrity and purpose. His influence echoes through the music he shared, the children he raised, and the students taught and inspired.
May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him—and may the music he loved so dearly continue to resound through generations to come.
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