Donald Wilcox

No man who believes in Jesus ever walk alone and now our Dad can finally walk beside him. 

 On July 3, 2024, Donald Gene Wilcox got up for the first time in 18 years and walked into the arms of his loved ones in heaven. 

 Don was born March 28, 1946 in Casper, WY to Lawrence and Dorlene (Mauck) Wilcox. He spent his childhood attending Willard and Mills Elementary, Dean Morgan Jr. High, and graduating from Natrona County High School. He attended Black Hills State College on a wrestling scholarship for one year before enlisting in the Navy. He proudly served his country for three years staring as a clerk and then transitioning to a gunner on the U.S.S. Chicago. 

 After his honorable discharge, Don lived and worked his way back home to Casper. On July of 1969, he met the love of his life, Judy (Malloy) Wilcox. After a whirlwind romance, he proposed during lunch and they were married the same evening on December 1, 1969. They were married for 36 years before Judy passed away in 2006. 

 Don excelled as a salesman, mostly working at car dealerships starting in Wyoming and ending in Montana before venturing into construction. 

 He proudly opened his own company, A & B Buildings Inc. in Billings, MT. He relocated the business to Sheridan, WY where he worked and lived until his retirement in 2000. In 2001, he sought out his favorite endeavour and bought a ranch in North Dakota, which is still in operation. 

 In 2005, he faced his biggest challenge yet, Guillane Barre Syndrome. This caused him to become wheelchair bound but he never let that squash his dreams. He continued running the ranch and operating his equipment until he couldn’t do it anymore in the fall of 2022. 

 In 2009, he purchased a house in Bullhead City, AZ where he would snowbird in the winter to escape the snow and cold of North Dakota. It was there that he met Raye Nellans who remained his loving companion and partner until his death. 

 Don is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Judy Wilcox, his sister Delores Mockenstrum, brother-in-law Vince Mockenstrum, and two grandsons Adam Haskett and Mathew Shanahan. 

 He is survived by his four daughters Torie Wilcox Hutchins, Shanel Wilcox Shanahan, Traice (Kirt) Pyle, and Brenda (Jim) Haskett. His brother Dom (Margaret) Wilcox, 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. His partner Raye Nellans and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

 Services will be held Friday, August 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery with a reception at the Bustard & Jacoby Reception Center to follow at 11:30 a.m.