Gary Wayne Wilcox
October 30, 1951 — August 13, 2023
Gary Wayne Wilcox, 71, died Sunday, August 13, 2023, at home surrounded by immediate family following a courageous battle against cancer. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. Visitation: Gary’s family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023, at the funeral home, with burial following at Rogers Grove Cemetery in Ely, Iowa.
Born on October 30, 1951, in Shueyville, Iowa, the son of George Thomas and Donna June (Sacora) Wilcox. Gary married Rebecca “Becky” Jean Telecky on April 11, 1981, in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Together they proudly raised their family in Marion while Gary worked for almost 30 years at Penford Products to provide for his family.
Gary will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends for his devotion to others. Helping others, traveling, and being a constant sense of comfort for his children and wife as they navigated life were his favorite things to do while raising his family. In retirement, his favorite place was alongside Becky enjoying his grandchildren. Many of his evenings were proudly spent in his recliner rewatching videos of the grandkids’ events he had just attended in person.
Gary didn’t let his recent health struggle define him. He knew that while you were not able to pick the amount of years you had on this earth, you sure were able to pick how you used the time within those years. He will be forever missed, thought of often and loved eternally.
Survivors include his wife, Becky; children, Lance Smith and wife, Monique of Oregon City, Oregon, Kristen Carpenter and husband, Justin of Marion, and Ben Wilcox and wife, Katie of Marion; seven grandchildren; four brothers, Roger Wilcox of Cedar Rapids, Jeff Wilcox and wife, Nancy of Marion, Paul Wilcox and wife, Karen of Cedar Rapids, and Tim Sacora of Oregon; one sister, Tracy Anderson and husband, Scott of Jacksonville, Florida; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Thomas, Doug and Bruce; and two sisters, Cathy and Karen.
A memorial fund has been established in Gary’s honor. The intent of the family is to work with the Iowa DNR to create a lasting memory in honor of Gary, as being active outdoors with family meant everything to him.
Born on October 30, 1951, in Shueyville, Iowa, the son of George Thomas and Donna June (Sacora) Wilcox. Gary married Rebecca “Becky” Jean Telecky on April 11, 1981, in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Together they proudly raised their family in Marion while Gary worked for almost 30 years at Penford Products to provide for his family.
Gary will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends for his devotion to others. Helping others, traveling, and being a constant sense of comfort for his children and wife as they navigated life were his favorite things to do while raising his family. In retirement, his favorite place was alongside Becky enjoying his grandchildren. Many of his evenings were proudly spent in his recliner rewatching videos of the grandkids’ events he had just attended in person.
Gary didn’t let his recent health struggle define him. He knew that while you were not able to pick the amount of years you had on this earth, you sure were able to pick how you used the time within those years. He will be forever missed, thought of often and loved eternally.
Survivors include his wife, Becky; children, Lance Smith and wife, Monique of Oregon City, Oregon, Kristen Carpenter and husband, Justin of Marion, and Ben Wilcox and wife, Katie of Marion; seven grandchildren; four brothers, Roger Wilcox of Cedar Rapids, Jeff Wilcox and wife, Nancy of Marion, Paul Wilcox and wife, Karen of Cedar Rapids, and Tim Sacora of Oregon; one sister, Tracy Anderson and husband, Scott of Jacksonville, Florida; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Thomas, Doug and Bruce; and two sisters, Cathy and Karen.
A memorial fund has been established in Gary’s honor. The intent of the family is to work with the Iowa DNR to create a lasting memory in honor of Gary, as being active outdoors with family meant everything to him.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary Wayne Wilcox, please visit our flower store.