Don Wilcox passed away recently on Feb 13, 2016.  Don's brother, Ken, provided us with the following description of Don's life.

 

Don went straight in to the Marine Corps from high school and was a Vietnam vet.  He then lived in southern California for a few years in the early 70's, went to computer school and landed a programming job.  He was married briefly and had a daughter, Michelle, who he was unable to keep in touch with, something that weighed on him his whole life.  I think the company was bought out and moved to Pennsylvania sometime in the 70's and he ended up working on highly classified defense projects for the military for many years.  I believe he retired on a disability, a victim of the agent orange thing in Vietnam.

 

His health went downhill (he was also a heavy smoker) and he had some heart issues and problems with his legs over the past 8 years or so.  He lost a leg last year and had just been fitted for an artificial limb when his heart gave out.  It was really unexpected, since he had recovered well from all the surgery, was feeling a lot better and seemed to have a lot more energy.  I didn't find out until the day after he passed that he'd ordered a brand new Chevy Corvette with all the extras that had just arrived at the dealer.  You might know he loved fast cars.  So he was definitely looking forward to being mobile again.  It was pretty heartbreaking for us to suddenly lose him.  He was a great brother, dedicated husband and dad, and we all miss him.

 

I'll [Ken Wilcox] be in the Salt Lake area sometime this spring or summer.  It would be nice to meet an old friend or two of Don's -- or Skip as we knew him at home, although I  think he always went by Don at school.  Feel free to share any of this with others who  might remember him.      Best Regards,  Ken

 

(Note to Don's friends:  Any of you who would be interested in getting together with Ken and Brad Beesley over lunch, contact Brad at 801-450-7330 or bradbeesley@hotmail.com  He will notify you, sometime this spring or summer, of a lunch date, time, and location. 

If you would like to recognize the many classmates that have passed on at a lunch get together, let Brad know and he will broaden the event.