|
Claude “Tom” Thomas Wilcox
April 20, 1947 ~ October 31, 2011
Claude “Tom” Thomas Wilcox, age 64, of Montrose, Colo., passed away Oct. 31, 2011 after a lengthy illness at Montrose Memorial Hospital. Tom was born Apr. 20, 1947 to Claude Jesse and Marie A. (Griffiths) Wilcox in Salida, Colo. He spent his childhood in Lake City, Colo., and graduated from Montrose High School in 1965. Tom was drafted into the United States Army in Aug. 1966 and served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. He was honorably discharged in May 1969 and was a Purple Heart Recipient. Prior to Tom’s retirement, he served as Supervisor and Foreman for the Colorado State Highway Maintenance Department. Tom was state certified to blow possible avalanche areas for the various passes where he was working, in the state of Colorado. He had resided in the Denver area, Wolfcreek Pass, Ridgway, then to Cortez, Colo., before returning to Montrose upon retirement, where he made his home until his time of death. Tom loved life, meeting new people and never met a stranger. He loved traveling abroad and cruises were his favorite. A great time was always spent when he could socialize with his family and friends. They were special to him. Tom’s Thursday mornings were spent gathering with his coffee club. He was a collector of replica construction equipment he had gathered over the years.
Surviving family members include his nephews, Rick (Lynly) Scheibler and Mark Scheibler of Montrose; John A. (Traci) Wilcox of Las Vegas, Nev., Derek (Adrianne) Wagner of Grand Junction, Colo., John R. (Lori) Wilcox of Gunnison, Colo; Nieces, Bridget Wilcox-Geary and Jessica (Jason) Richards of Montrose; sisters, Sandi Scheibler of Montrose, Penny (Scott) Wagner of Parker, Colo; and sister-in-law, Amy Wilcox of Lake City, Colo; six great-nephews, six great-nieces, and one great-great-niece. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Marie Wilcox, brothers, Frank and Paul Wilcox, one nephew, William Richard ‘Butch’ Wilcox, a great niece, Marah Wagner.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. A Funeral Service is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Crippin Chapel. The service will conclude at the Chapel. Condolences may also be sent to the family at www.crippinfuneralhome.com. At Tom’s request, cremation will follow the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colo.
|
