KEITH WILCOX

1971 - 2017

Keith David Wilcox Keith David Wilcox, 46, passed away October 18, 2017 in Olympia, Washington. He was born February 12, 1971 to David and Mary Jo Wilcox in Tacoma, Washington, and lived in Olympia for most of his life. Keith was born with significant developmental disabilities, and lived his life with purpose and quiet determination. Throughout his life, Keith overcame obstacles many might find insurmountable. He attended the first preschool class for young children with disabilities in Thurston County in the early 1970s. He graduated from Capital High School in 1992, in one of the first cohorts of young adults with disabilities to attend an integrated special education school setting. As a young adult, Keith learned to use adaptive communication technology, giving him a voice for the first time and the ability to communicate with others around him. With the support of Morningside Services, he found employment at the dental office of Christopher Merchant, DDS. Keith took his job seriously, and thoroughly enjoyed being at work. Keith enjoyed going to see live music, making arts and crafts, and taking outings in the community. Keith participated for several years in the Ski-For-All and Bike-For-All programs, which got him up on the ski slopes and on to bike paths in Western Washington. Keith loved spending time with family; he was a loving son and brother, and a devoted uncle to his niece and three nephews. Keith had a sweet, loving spirit, and exemplified patience in the face of adversity. His kind and gentle personality made many others comfortable being around people with disabilities. Keith is survived by his parents, David and Mary Jo Wilcox; his sister and brother-in-law, Ellen Wilcox and Peter Lane and their children, Josephine and Elias Lane; and his brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Diana Wilcox, and their children, David and Alex Wilcox. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1601 North Street SE, Olympia WA 98501. Memorial donations may be made in Keith's honor to the following organizations serving individuals with disabilities and their families: Kokua Services, 1226 Carpenter Rd SE, Lacey WA 98503 or online at http://kokuaservices.com A fund will be established in Keith's name to support opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in community activities. Morningside Services, an organization that advances the employment and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities, PO Box 7936, Olympia WA 98507 or online at https://www.morningsideservices.com Please share memories at www.FuneralAlternatives.org.