Robert Karl Wilcox

On Monday the 25th of September Robert Karl Wilcox, 62, of Lehi Utah, passed away peacefully in his home with his beloved wife Elaine (Wilkinson) at his side. After many years of fighting and dealing with PTSD, being a stage 4 cancer survivor and suffering with COPD, he left this mortal earth. To say that he was a fighter would be an understatement. But now he is free from his mental and physical pains. Born on the 19th of August, 1961 to Forest Dell Wilcox and Patricia Ann King in Prescott Arizona. He was the baby of the family. He has 2 sisters Kathy and Debi and his brother Don.

He lived most of his life in Utah. By age 15 with a full thick beard, he may have lied about his age to get a cooking job. At one point he cooked a burger for John Wayne and he even signed his chef hat. During high school he loved to wrestle and play baseball. After receiving his diploma from Spanish Fork High School, he enlisted with the Army to help further his education.

In 1985 He married his beautiful wife Elaine Wilkinson who had a 4 year old daughter named Vennessa. On July 1st 1992 they made things final and Robert adopted Vennessa.
Robert was strong willed and stubborn at times, but he also had an enormous heart and wonderful sense of humor. He was generous, loyal and brave.  He loved to work hard in the yard. Often times he would say that he was born in the wrong era. He felt like he should have been born in the early 1900's, working on a farm all day. Perhaps he thought he lived on a farm since at one point or another he had birds, fish, rabbits, chickens, a turkey, a total of 5 dogs and he even brought home a stray potbelly pig. That just shows how much patience Elaine had.

No matter where he was stationed for the army, he had the most immaculate yard and garden. He enjoyed studying all about the earth, the rocks and trees. If he was not out in the yard, he would be building something out of wood: a boat, a head board for a bed, tables, entertainment centers, shelves, intricate cutting boards, candle holders, play houses and sheds.

He loved hunting and fishing. He made the best deer jerky by hand then had to pay money to get Vennessa's braces fixed from eating the jerky. His favorite fishing story is the one when his daughter caught a 12lb fish with her little tike fishing pole.

Robert and Elaine had the most amazing goals and the ambition to back them up. In the Fall of 1991 Robert was called to serve in Operation Desert Storm. About 9 months later he returned home safely but not necessarily the same.

Over the past 30 years he suffered from Cluster headaches, PTSD, stage 4 bladder cancer and due to the burn pits during the war he was diagnosed with COPD. He spent much of his time in and out of hospitals and doctor's offices. It was a good thing Elaine was a tender nurse by his side. She fought hard to find him the best care, disability benefits and relief.

Before his bladder Cancer He used his welding skills to help build the BYU baseball stadium.  Being a baseball and BYU fan in general he would always point out what he worked on any time he passed by.  He also took pride in the details of home building as a Superintendent.  He was even able to help in the process of building Kris and Vennessa's first home.

Robert was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a 3rd degree Mason and was a loyal server of those in need. He was a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and was proud of his grandsons for earning their Eagle Scout. He loved to support his family in their faith efforts and loved when Tanner decided to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As his health declined, he found joy in his family.  Teaching his son-in-law Kris all the things to care for a yard and how to build a strong shed. He LOVED being a Papa of four grandsons. Playing games, cutting apple slices and taking naps. He was always so proud of his daughter and would tell everyone of any accomplishments she had. He always looked forward to Survivor Date Night with his wife.  For over 20 years they would pick out one of their favorite places to eat and get take out.  They would bring it home and watch the newest episode of Survivor.

Robert was predeceased by his father Forest and his mother Patricia, his brother Donald, his nephews Aaron and Jeremy and his niece Allison. He is survived by his wife Elaine Lavon Wilcox, daughter Vennessa with her husband Kris Distefano, His grandsons Tanner, Sander, Dylan and Boston and his Sisters Kathy Stoops and Debrah Mattinson.

Funeral Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel:  1801 West 700 South, Lehi, Utah.
Viewing to be held @ 10:00 am
Funeral held @ 11:00 am
Followed by Burial at Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park at Camp Williams, 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah