Noel Edward Wilcoxson

Noel Edward Wilcoxson, 79, died on March 22, 2010. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 29, 2010, at Eden Chapel Church, with the Rev. Steven Bredesen officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Strode Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.
 Noel was born to Charles Edward and Golma Lee Wilcoxson on Nov. 23, 1930, in Elk City, Okla.
After graduating from Elk City's Merit High School, he joined the Army, serving on the front lines of Korea. He was a decorated combat veteran, receiving, the UN Service Medal, and the Korean War Medal with Bronze Service Star.
Noel was severely injured while serving in Korea and part of his physical therapy including learning how to dance. Dancing was how he met his wife-to-be, Patricia Ann Phillips. Noel and Patricia were married in 1955 and together they had two children, James Clifton and Gary Lynn.  During their early years together they lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Verden before finally moving to Stillwater in 1971. Noel and Pat were married over 37 years until her death in 1992. 
Noel's love of dancing lead him to meet Ruth McKnight Wells. Noel married Ruth in 1995 and they remained married until her death in 2008. Ruth, her 10 children and the extended Wells family brought an incredible amount of life and happiness into his later life.
Noel was a printing pressman all of his working life, winning many graphics arts awards. When he and his family moved to Stillwater in 1971 he became the manager of the State of Oklahoma's VoTech printing plant.  During his years with VoTech he greatly increased their capacity and capabilities, expanding their facilities to the point where they provided printed curriculum for the whole of VoTech's statewide school system.
Noel was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Golma; older sister Charlene; his youngest son Gary Lynn; his first wife Patricia; and his second wife Ruth.
He is survived by one son James and his wife Virginia, Houston Texas; one brother Winfred and his wife Judith, Camarillo Calif.,; his grandchildren Patricia Ann Wilcoxson, Fairbanks, Alaska; and James Noel Wilcoxson, Anchorage Alaska; his uncle Luther Wilcoxson, Shawnee, Okla.,; and his nephews Charles Wilcoxson, Mark Wilcoxson and Noel Richard Wilcoxson and their families. 
Memorial contributions may be made to Eden Chapel Church, PO Box 441, Perkins, OK 74059.
Condolences may be sent and an online obituary may be viewed by visiting www.strodefh.com.