John Harland Wilcox

Wilcox, John H. STOUGHTON- John H. Wilcox, age 86, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010, in Salt Lake City, Utah, from complications of a stroke. He had just returned with his daughter, Dottie to make his home with her and her family until the spring of 2011. John was born on Nov. 3, 1924, to Harold and Margaret (Davis) Wilcox. John was a Veteran of World War II. He served at Ft. Hood, Texas and in Germany from 1942 until 1946. He married Genevieve Lubecke on Jan. 18, 1945. Upon his return from service, John was employed with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad as a fireman from 1946 until 1985. He retired from the railroad as an engineer. He and Gen also owned John's Liquor Store, from the 1960's until the 1970's, located in the Fiore Shopping Center on East Washington Ave., in Madison. After his retirement from the railroad, John also worked as a bellhop and a shuttle bus driver for the Concourse Hotel in downtown Madison, for 15 years. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion and the Masonic Lodge of Stoughton. As a young man, he loved music and whenever a band started playing, John started dancing! In high school he and two of his friends had formed a small combo, with John on the drums. They played at several different clubs in Madison. An insurance salesman once told John's mother, "Oh, I know where the Wilcox's live.....I just follow the music"! John and his friends were always playing their instruments in the living room! John and Gen traveled extensively in later years and there was always a stop in either, Branson, Miss., or Las Vegas, Nev. John was also a HUGE Chicago Bears Fan, to the dismay of his family who were Packer Backers! They enjoyed taking care of a huge garden every year and always shared their bounty with family and friends......you always took a bag of something home! Gen was an excellent cook who made wonderful meals from all the vegetables in the garden. John was an avid walker who would take at least two, if not three, walks a day. John is survived by his son, Charley Wilcox of Milwaukee; daughter, Dottie (Richard) Danley, of Layton, Utah; grandchildren, Damon (Mary Kay) Wilcox, of Milwaukee, Jason Wilcox of Ashland , Denise Danley, Jesse (Rochelle) Danley, Catherine Danley, all of Utah, and Sarah Danley of Chicago; great-granddaughter, Emma of Utah; sister, Joyce (Ron) Pollock of Waunakee; many nieces and nephews; and very special friends, Bob & Jan Sorenson and Cliff and Helen Bakken of Stoughton; as well as his dear friend since grade school, Harold Kurth of Hacienda, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold andMargaret; sister, Faith Cullen; and his wife, Genevieve Wilcox. Funeral services will be held at CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, Co. Hwy B, Stoughton at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, with the Rev. Scott Geister-Jones presiding, with military honors to follow. Private burial will be held at Sunset Memory Gardens after the luncheon. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. Per John's wishes, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity. Memorials: Per John's wishes, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity. Cemetery: Private burial will be held at Sunset Memory Gardens after the luncheon. Visitation: Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. Service: Funeral services will be held at CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, Co. Hwy B, Stoughton at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, with the Rev. Scott Geister-Jones presiding.