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MERRILL WILCOX Obituary
WILCOX, MERRILL, 84
(PROFESSOR EMERITUS, UF)
Forest Grove, Florida - Dr. Merrill Wilcox passed away on September 3, 2014, at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, FL. He was a member of Forest Grove Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Laura Barry Wilcox; daughter, Nancy Wilcox of Gainesville; son Everett Wilcox of Gainesville; brother Evan Wilson (Ann) of Austin, TX; and step-daughter Robin Boyd (Terry) of High Springs. He was predeceased by his sister, Shirley Brown.
Merrill was born in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 10, 1929, to the late Everett and Eva Buck Wilcox. He received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, and Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees from North Carolina State University. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. He joined the faculty of the IFAS Agronomy Department at the University of Florida in 1960, and retired in 1998 with 38 years of service. He received one of the first patents at UF for his invention of Prime+, a plant growth regulator. He was a member of the Florida State Horticultural Society, American Chemical Society - Pesticide Division, Weed Science Society of Plant Physiologists, International Society of Citriculture, Scandinavian Society of Plant Pathology, Northeastern Weed Conference, International Palm Society (former director), American Society of Agronomy, and Plant Growth Regulator Working Group. He established the Charles Raulerson Memorial Palm Garden at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. He enjoyed palm breeding, gardening, water sports and hiking in his younger years, and spending time with his family.
Closed casket funeral services will e held on Saturday, September 6, at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Grove Baptist Church, 22575 NW 94th Avenue, Alachua, Florida, with Rev. Gary Cason and Rev. Warren Chesser officiating. Since Merrill was not fond of wearing suits, dress is casual. Internment will follow at Forest Grove Cemetery. In lieu of Flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Forest Grove Cemetery or Forest Grove Baptist Church, or Haven Hospice.
Arrangements are under the care of Evans-Carter Funeral Home, 220 N. Main Street, High Springs, FL.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for MERRILL WILCOX
5 Entries
Robin Lauriault
February 28, 2015
I just became of aware of my old friend's death. I am sorry to have lost touch with him in recent years as he was a true friend. He availed me of my first opportunity to travel to Cuba in 1990, just as the news of the fall of the Soviet Union was heard in Cuba. He was a kind and solicitous man, calm and purposeful, and clearly an excellent scientist. We shared a love for palms and I was honored to know a man of such erudition.
Nigel Kembrey
September 13, 2014
He was an inspiration to me , an endless source of knowledge and help to me , and gave much happiness to the palm world.He will be missed .
Tom McClendon
September 10, 2014
On behalf of the Southeastern Palm Society, I offer my condolences to the Wilcox family. Merrill was an amazing man, guide, and mentor to so many of us. We will miss his sharp wit combined with his gentle nature, and we will not forget his many contributions to the world of hardy palm culture.
Tom McCallum
September 7, 2014
Nancy,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Tom McCallum
Mary Ann Cobb
September 6, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Evans-Carter Funeral Home - High Springs18724 North Main Street, High Springs, FL 32643
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