Wayne M. Cox of Ellensburg passed away suddenly at home July 29, 2011 of natural causes.Wayne was born on May 16, 1941 in Ellensburg to John and Lois Cox. Though his life took him on many travels he always considered Ellensburg home. Wayne graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1959 after graduation he attended Pine Bluff Tech School in Arkansas, and then he returned to the valley to work along side his dad through the Local 1974 Carpenters Union. Wayne married Maxine Hellyer in 1965, they moved to the west side where Wayne was Supervisor of maintenance at Fircrest School in Seattle, and during this time he coached little league in Lake City. In 1985 Wayne took a job as Director of Maintenance at Kittitas County Rehab (Gold Leaf). In 2002 he decided to try something different so he became a Black Jack dealer at Harrah's Casino in Mt Vernon WA. Wayne spent many years as an Ellensburg Chamber Cowboy, he loved dressing up like a cowboy and selling rodeo buttons to help support youth services in the community. Upon retirement in 2004 he and Maxine moved back to the Kittitas Valley Wayne spent his free time playing golf, fishing, hunting,4 wheeling in the near by canyons and visiting old friends, puttering in his shop and enjoying his life and family. Wayne was an honorable man, a caring father and friend he had an uncanny ability to fix things. His smile was infectious and although a bit grumpy at times he would always turn around and laugh at himself. Wayne spent many hours in his "man cave" watching Gunsmoke and tinkering with his toy treasures. In 1963 he met his Idol "Elvis Presley" in the cafeteria of the Space Needle this was a story he never got tired of telling.Wayne is survived by his wife Maxine of Ellensburg, his son Jason Cox of Ellensburg, his daughter Katie (Joe) DiOrio of Burien, sister Beverly Cox of Ellensburg, 4 granddaughters, Kayla Reese, Josie Hannah and two grandsons Jacob and Zander.Wayne was preceded in death by his parents John and Lois Cox and his infant son Chad in 1985.Wayne was the head and heart of the family and we miss him.Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. A celebration of Wayne's life will be held for family and friends August 20, 2011 at the family home at 313 E Kristen Ave. Ellensburg, from 1:00 to 4:00pm. Family requests that his memory be honored by the purchase of a Ellensburg Rodeo button from one of the Chamber Cowboy's when you see them cavorting in town this summer.We would like to thank the Paramedics, Ellensburg Police and Greg Zemple for their kindness and compassion.Affordable Funeral Care has been entrusted with arrangements.