Cheryl Karen Paxton Cope

Cheryl Karen Cope passed away on April 5, 2026, in Bonita Springs, FL, having lived under her daughter’s care in Cape Coral, FL for the past two years. Cheryl was born on May 28, 1941, in Ogden, UT to Charles Wilson Paxton and Henrietta May (Burt) Paxton. She graduated from Ogden High School and attended Weber State College. A strong-willed, independent young woman, she spent her early years in Los Angeles, CA, and Anchorage, AK, where she met and married her first husband, Raymond Brent Wilson.

Cheryl raised her family in the Denver, CO area where she began her business and marketing career with a McDonald’s franchise in Boulder, CO. After a wonderful, year-long adventure with her family living and sailing on the sailboat Racheka throughout southern California and Baja, Mexico, she returned to Utah and remained there.

In Salt Lake City, she owned and was involved in several businesses including Wilson, Donnely, and Steck Advertising agency , local art galleries, The N.E.C. Group, and Superfine Marketing, as well as being active in local politics and advocacy groups.

She married her second husband, Gary Bud Cope, in 1983. Together they enjoyed travel, her rose garden and involvement with the Utah State Fair Horticulture program, four-wheeling and camping, as well as Gary’s Truck/Tractor pulling competitions.

Her family and friends remember her as an intelligent, loving, well read and self-confident woman.

Cheryl is survived by her son, Kalin (Diane) Wilson, daughter Kalena (Joseph) Scherben, grandchildren Joseph (Therese) Scherben IV, Andrea Scherben, Parker Wilson, and Tanner Wilson. Preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Raymond B. Wilson and Gary B. Cope, as well as her sister Gwynne May Jones.

She will be laid to rest with Gary B. Cope at a graveside service at the Weston, ID cemetery on April 18, 2026, at 11:00 am. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com