John Wilcox

John L. Wilcox, 88, went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 19, 2007, at CAMC, after a short illness. He was a dedicated, loving husband, father and grandfather. Born April 18, 1918 in Wyco, WV, John L. grew up near Boone, NC. He was the son of the late Arnold Glen and Hester Wilcox. Most of his career, he had his own coal-hauling business. He was also a service mechanic for Wilcox Manufacturing Company. He later was a heavy equipment operator and a member of the UMWA. Besides being a hard-working provider for his family, he loved listening to the choir and attending his church of 57 years, Bluestone Baptist. He was very involved with his grandchildren and frequently went sledding with them on sleds he designed out of unique parts, such as conveyer belts. He also loved walking in the woods and hunting. He spent much time studying history, geography and genealogy. He was an inventor and mechanic, and constantly thought of better ways to make things work. He was issued patents for a pneumatic coal conveying system and for a square-hole coal augering system. He also lovingly designed a large quilting frame for his wife, Virginia. He recently wrote an outline for a short biographical story in which he said heâ??d seen how the Lord was looking out for him all these years. John L. was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Basil, Arnold and A.G. Jr., as well as two infant twin sisters, Ella Vee and Verna Lee. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Virginia Frances Harper Wilcox; sister Ina Gross and husband Kenneth of Daniels; sister Nina Eldridge and husband Paul of Stowe, OH; sister Helen Anderson of Chicago, IL; brother Douglas Wilcox and wife, Sally of Shady Spring; sons Pat Wilcox and wife, Carol of Richmond, VA and Curtis Wilcox and wife, Barbara of Jumping Branch; daughters Doris Newey and husband Ray of Roseburg, OR, and Betty Day and husband, Stan of Nimitz. He had thirteen grandchildren, Deborah, Mark, Matthew, Marlys, Nathan, Loren, Ginny, Michael, Melanie, Heidi, Heather, Jon and Stefan. He also had seventeen great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at the Bluestone Baptist Church with Pastor Bill Fox officiating. Burial will follow in the Lilly-Crews Cemetery at Nimitz. Friends and family may call from 4-7 P.M. Monday evening at the Bluestone Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Marvin Harper, Steve Stack, Jimmy Stack, Dennis Riffe, Donald Riffe, Alan Harper and Phillip Maddy. Honorary pallbearers are Ruehl Meadows, Roy Lee Honaker, Earl Quesenbury and Clarence Bragg.
Viewing Information: 4-7 P.M. Monday at the Bluestone Baptist Church.
Funeral Information: 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the Bluestone Baptist Church.