Obituary of Allen E. Wilcox

Allen E. Wilcox, 88, of Jamestown went to his heavenly home, Monday June 29, 2015. He was born April 5, 1927 in Hamburg, NY the son of the late Allan A. and Ema Marek Wilcox. Allen attended Jamestown High School and joined the US Merchant Marine at age 17 to support his country during WWII. After the war he also served in the US Army. In 1993, Russian President Boris Yeltsin awarded Allen a medal for his Merchant Marine service on the "Phillip S. Thomas" for having participated in the famous Murmansk run, which brought much needed supplies to that city during WWII. Following the war, he attended Houghton College. He moved to Tacoma, Washington where he worked as a candy maker for the Johnson Candy Co. Returning to the Jamestown area, he worked with his father at Skiff's Store in Cherry Creek. After working for 25 years at Sears, he retired as the manager of the Catalog Department. Allen was a man of deep spirituality and abiding faith. He lived his life accordingly and was very committed to his church. Over the years, he taught Sunday school, served on many church committees and would preach as a supply pastor at various area churches when needed. He faithfully attended Fluvanna Community Church. Allen was very active with the MS Society and was on the board of the Southwestern Independent Living Center. He loved music, from classical to country and especially enjoyed the symphony concerts, opera and the sacred song services at the Chautauqua Institution. His family have been active participants at the Chautauqua Institution since its founding in 1874; such participation continues to this day. Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Valerie Johnson Wilcox whom he married June 10, 1948; his daughter, Willow (Gary) Brost of Buffalo; three grandchildren, Sean (Shannon), Devon (Bryant), and Ian; four great grandchildren, Kari, Elliot, Arik and Hayden; brother Leo Wilcox and his wife Isabelle as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He will also be missed by his beloved cats - Calico and Grey. His parents and an infant daughter preceded him in death. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Dayle F. Keefer, pastor of Fluvanna Community Church will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Southwestern Independent Living Center, Inc. 843 North Main Street, Jamestown, NY 14701.