Verl Marvin Cox

Verl Marvin, Cox, master storyteller and respected academic, passed away on January 23. 2026, at the age of 84, in Boise, Idaho. He was a man of infinite wisdom and unwavering love and kindness. His death was expected and simply the result of complications of old age and various ailments, as well as general orneriness, mischief, and mayhem.

Marv, as he was known to most people, was born in 1941 in Fairfield, Idaho, to Wayne and LaRae Cox. He graduated from Fairfield High School and then moved to Pocatello to earn his bachelor’s degree at Idaho State University. It was there that he married Sharon Skaggs, and they had their first child, Clay.

The Cox family then moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where Marv earned his master’s degree at Texas Christian University before moving on to Wichita, Kansas so he could teach at the University of Kansas and complete his doctorate. As a professor, he taught speech, debate, logic, and listening. While in Wichita, the family welcomed their two daughters, Sherri and Chris.

Emporia, Kansas, was the next stop on Marv’s career path. He began teaching at Emporia State College, where he and Sharon bought a small ranch and had their youngest child, Ben. In addition to his hobbies of ranching and gardening, Marv was well known for hosting parties for coworkers, students, and family, including his famous “Badminton Breakfasts.”

In 1977, the family moved to Boise, Idaho, where Marv accepted a full professorship in the Communication Department at Boise State University. He eventually became the Chair of that department, writing and publishing textbooks to be used at Boise State, and he stayed there until he retired with emeritus status in 2004.

Marv was a true academic and embraced knowledge and learning throughout his life. His passions during this period of life were fishing, hunting, photography, nature, and travel.

Marv was lucky to have found lasting love twice in his life. First with Sharon Skaggs/Cox, his wife and mother of their four children. Later in life, he met Sharon Nelson, and they built a life together, surrounded by his and her grown children and grandchildren.

Marv was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon, his parents, Wayne and LaRae Cox, his brothers, Leo and Darrell Cox, and son-in-law, Eric Weld.

He is survived by his significant other, Sharon; his three sisters, Billie Dillon, Gwen Potter, and Toni Jones; his children, Clayton (Tami), Sherri Boyce (Jim), Chris Weld, and Benjamin; his grandchildren, Alison Rexach (Andrew) and Rylee Overstreet (Steven); Damien Scott Boyce, and Cassidy Boyce; his great grandchildren, Ryder Weld and Ava Overstreet, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Everyone was family to Marv. He loved to host family members for small gatherings, big holiday events, professional groups, and friends. The central theme was always “sharing stories”. Listening and Storytelling were central to his personality and character.  Each person he met went away feeling seen, heard and truly valued. Marvin was a master storyteller and recounted the humorous, serious and historical stories of our family.  His life was filled with family, love, learning, teaching, adventure, and most importantly, all the stories of a life very well lived. His story is now preserved in all of us.

Arrangements under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor, Garden City, Idaho. 208.853.3131