Charles Hendrix Coxe

Charles Hendrix Coxe passed away on May 24, 2022 surrounded by his family.  

Charlie was born January 23, 1937 in Pocatello, Idaho to Goldie L. Higgins Coxe.  He was an only child raised alone by his mother.   Charlie grew up very poor in Pocatello and lived in a tenement building that was condemned about twice a year.  He had no heat, hot water, shower, tub, and had to share a toilet with two other families on another floor.  They did not have a vehicle and had to walk everywhere they went.  His mother worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a supervisor of “grease scrappers”, removing excessive grease from the old “molly” steam engines.  They also took in boarders for the railroad to try to make ends meet.  Once a week he and his mother would walk a couple of miles to Halliwell Drug Store so that he could get a 25 cent milkshake.  This is where his mother got the idea for Charlie to be a pharmacist.  She saw the druggist in his clean white jacket and was working where it was warm in the winter and cool in the summer and it was also a very respectable profession.  He promised his mother that if he ever got to college he would become a pharmacist.  His mother married Rex C. Richardson, a railroad welder, when Charlie was in the 4^th grade.  His mother died in 1959 while he was attending college. Rex died in 1973 with Charlie caring for him until his death. 

Charlie attended schools in Pocatello: Emerson Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Irving Junior High School and Pocatello High School. He enjoyed playing baseball, football and running track in junior high (while he had his paper route) but could not play sports in high school as he needed to work to help his mother and to save money for college.  His first car was a totaled 1942 Chrysler Coupe he bought for $50.00 from Shaw’s Auto Salvage, his junior year of high school. 

He started working at Bannock Hospital his junior year of high school and continued to work there until he graduated from Idaho State College in 1961 with his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. Thus, fulfilling the promise he made to his mother.  

While a junior in high school, Charlie met the first love of his life Judeane E. Cook.  They were married June 2, 1959.  Charlie started his first day of being a Pharmacist on the day he graduated from college.  Charlie and Judeane moved to Jerome, Idaho where he worked at Thriftway Drug for a couple of years. This is where they began their family.  They moved back to Pocatello where Charlie was half owner of Lee’s Highway Drug.  Charlie then went to work at Skaggs Drug in 1965 and stayed with the company as it was sold to Payless and then Rite Aid.  He worked at the same job for 38 years. Judeane passed away January 19, 1974.  They had 3 children together.  He retired from pharmacy in 2003 to start his next career as a dedicated street rodder.

Charlie met Drenda J. Graham while working at Payless Drug and they were married June 27, 1997. Charlie and Drenda joined the Classic Car Club and spent most summer weekends with the most loving and caring group of people that he had ever been around in his life.  The car club was very important to Charlie. He cherished the friendships & camaraderie he developed over the years.

Surviving Charlie, is his loving wife Drenda J. Coxe, of 25 years, his three children (from his first marriage); Janet D. Coxe (Tom Williams), Steven C. Coxe, and Michael S. Coxe (Heather), two step-children; Kris (Graham) Claybaugh, Joseph Graham Jr., grandchildren; Jordan C. Williams, Koby S. Coxe, Kaden D. Williams, Avery A. Coxe, Piper A. Coxe, Kole S. Coxe, Tanner Claybaugh, Molly Claybaugh and Conner Claybaugh as well as two great grandchildren; Presley and Kailyn Claybaugh.  He loved and cared deeply for all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Charlie is preceded in death by his mother, Goldie L. Richardson, stepfather, Rex C. Richardson, and his first wife, Judeane E. Coxe, Judson S. Cook, Sr., Jeane Cook (in-laws), step-son Joseph Graham Jr., granddaughter, Molly Claybaugh.

Funeral services will be held in his honor at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday June 1, 2022 at Wilks Funeral Home.  Friends and family are welcome to attend “Charlie's Show and Shine” prior to the service at 1:00 p.m. Many local hot rods will be on display in the funeral home parking lot.  Hot rodders are encouraged to follow the procession to the cemetery at the conclusion of the funeral service for a graveside dedication. 

Donations can be made in Charlie’s name to the Shriner’s Hospital in Utah.

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