Bruce Lloyd Wilcox

5th generation California pear grower, and resident of Rio Vista, passed away Monday, January 1, 2013. He was born in San Jose, California on October 16, 1956 to Frank and Joan Wilcox. He attended grammar school in the Santa Clara school district until his father moved the family farming operations to the Delta in the Courtland- Walnut Grove area. He graduated from Delta High School in Clarksburg where he earned 1st place in the tractor rodeo for several years and received numerous FFA awards. He attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo until returning to the Delta to work with his Father in the pear operation. He quickly learned the importance of maintaining the high standards set before him by his father. He then took these standards and developed a signature strategy which methodically brought cultural, harvest and marketing techniques together to create a new standard in crop revenue, which proved extremely beneficial to not only the family but to Landlords, the Packer and Processors alike. He also was a partner in Wilcox-Agri-Products and played the crucial role in its survival and current success. He enjoyed many hobbies; building fishing rods, building and operating model trains and slot cars with close friends, participating in local fishing and car clubs, NASCAR racing, and visiting his favorite place on earth, Disneyland; with family and especially his grandsons. He was active in the community as a mentor for youth, he volunteered as both a soccer and baseball coach and served as little league president for several years. He also had a passion for restoring and driving vintage cars. He was particularly proud of two magazine write-ups featuring his 1971 Mach 0ne, which he acquired during his college years. He surprised the family Christmas gathering with his recently restored 1934 Ford Pick-up...with rides for all! Above all his successes, his most noted accomplishment in life was the love and support he provided for his wife, children, grandchildren, parents, and brothers. His family will remember him as an intelligent, loving, fun, down to earth man with an amazing sense of humor and capable of anything he put his mind to. He was our Mr Fix it, our train master, our best friend. He was always up for a game of catch, a sports game, a roller coaster ride, an afternoon cruise, getting his car spiffy for a show, a trip to the coast, and even a political debate here and there. His warm smile and love for life will never be forgotten. He is survived by his wife of 30 years Carol, and children, daughter Katie and husband Brian Bowling, and son Mike Wilcox; Mother Joan Wilcox; grandchildren Brian and Matthew Bowling; Brothers, Jim and wife Lynda, Mark and wife Janet, Alan, David and wife Susan; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in Death by his Father Frank Wilcox. Funeral services are to be held Saturday, January 12th, 11:00, at Stewart Chapel in Rio Vista. Reception to follow at the Portuguese Hall, Rio Vista. Memorials may be made in his honor to the Carroll Shelby Foundation.