Yogi Cox

Terry “Yogi” Cox, 59 of Portage, Wisconsin, formerly of Dewitt, Iowa, passed away Sunday, November 21, 2021, at University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, following a courageous battle with tongue and bone cancer.

Terry James Cox was born May 16, 1962 in Davenport, Iowa, to Charles "Chuck" and Sarah "Sally" (Cawiezell)  Cox. He graduated from Dewitt Central High School, attended the University of Dubuque and later transferred to St. Ambrose University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education and coaching in 1984. He played baseball and football for both Universities.

Yogi had a passion for sports. especially baseball following his dream playing a stint with the Minnesota Twins.  He later signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1986 where he captained the Medicine Hat Blue Jays. Yogi played professional baseball in Holland and was MVP with the London Major Ontario’s Intercounty League. He coached at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Illinois, for 8 years.  Yogi became the first ever manager of the Canadian Baseball League, Kelowna Heat. He returned to Iowa and coached at Indian Hills Community College in Centerville.  Yogi then was honored to coach the inaugural season of Junction City Generals in Junction City, Kansas, where he took his team to the National Baseball Congress World Service (NBC) for two consecutive years. He settled back in Lowden, Iowa, where he owned and operated Yogi’s Pizza Place.  He also worked as an athletic/activities director at North Cedar High School.  Another opportunity came and Yogi was on the next plane to Anchorage, Alaska, where he coached the Anchorage Glacier Pilots. Through his baseball Journey he received many outstanding awards and accomplished much.  Yogi had so much love for his players and fellow coaches, and made such an impact on all he came in contact with, many which are still great friends to this day. After hanging up his cleats he began driving charter bus for Windstar Lines of Carroll, Iowa, where he spent 12 years proudly transporting many sports teams and tour groups safely around the United States.

After many years of hard work and traveling Yogi finally made his childhood dream come true by purchasing a cabin on the Big Slough in Portage, Wisconsin.  There he enjoyed every moment, fishing almost daily with his “girlfriend” Sal, his yellow lab, enjoyed cocktails on the deck with his wonderful neighbors and loved having his family and friends come to visit. Yogi loved taking car rides with Sal to Briggsville, a small town nearby his cabin to look at wildlife and watch the sun set on Lake Mason. He would make a stop at the local watering hole Foxy’s for a cold Budweiser and then a quick stop at the Mason Station to get a few scratch offs. 

Those left to honor and cherish Yogi’s memory are his father, Chuck (Sandy) Cox of DeWitt; sister, Tracey Cox Woods of Mesa, Arizona; brother, Tony Cox of Bettendorf, Iowa, nieces and nephews, Christopher (Megan) Pruitt, Charlie (Katie) Cox, Brandon Woods, Cyle (Melissa) Cox, Sarah Woods, Cory Cox, Cassie Cox, Kobe Woods, and Rachel Cox; great nieces, Brooklyn, Madilyn, RaeLeigh, Quora and Swayzie Pruitt, Lucy Cox and great nephew, Braven Cox. His beloved dog, Sal Marie Cox and special friends, Brenda and Natalie Schumacher. 

Yogi was preceded in death by his mom, Sally; brother, Todd and grandparents, James “Sonny” and Charlene Cox and Frank and Irene Cawiezell.

The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt from 9:00 until 10:45 a.m. Friday, December 3, 2021, with a Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m. Friday in the church with the Rev. Fr. Stephen Page officiating.  

“Don’t cry because it is over; smile because it happened…God Bless and Rest in Peace, Be safe and stay thirsty my friends”-YC

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt.

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