Picture Tribute From My Dad's Memorial Service

My father passed away September 4th. This was the video of pictures we played at his memorial service. I wanted to post it up for those that couldn't make it. His "Life Story" we had read at the funeral follows:

Elmer David Wilcox or "Dave" as he liked to be called, was born in Kansas City, Kansas to Charles & Rose Wilcox on July 3rd 1949. He grew up in The Kansas City, Mo area & attended Raytown South High school. He had 5 brothers and sisters, 2 children, three step children, 2 grandsons, four step-grandchildren, and a lot of nieces and nephews.

David was a U.S. Navy veteran and served from October 1967 to November 1971 as a Dental technician. During that time he married Linda Mabbott who he had two daughters; Mindy and Missy with. He worked at General Motors and retired after 32 years of service in January of 2004. He had an obsession with hats and had an extensive collection that his grandson Nehemiah enjoyed trying on with him. General Motors was a huge company yet most of his co-workers knew him for the hats he wore.




He was married to Jill Wilcox in January of 2004 after proposing to her on a cruise ship with all of her children present and even got the musician to let him borrow his guitar to sing a romantic song to Jill. His love to her was always symbolized with a single red rose.

He was called "Poppy" by his granddaughter Taylor who he became close to when she and her mother lived with him and Jill. He was also proud of his grandson, Nehemiah, who shared his love for singing, writing, and playing music.

Throughout his life, he loved dancing, driving his convertible with the top down, listening to music, writing music, playing guitar, mandolin and banjo. For a time, he formed a band called Messengers of the Son which included his family and friends that traveled to churches and nursing homes singing Christian music-most of it, written by David. Later he would continue singing with his two daughters at his home church.

He was very knowledgeable and greatly enjoyed working with computers and often volunteered to help friends and family with various computer issues. He loved to travel and took many cruises to the Caribbean with his wife Jill. He also loved a quick vacation to Branson Missouri.

Dave became ill with lung cancer in 2003 which was put into remission, he had cancerous brain tumors in 2004 which were also put into remission, but he struggled with a debilitating condition that stemmed from the brain cancer treatment and in June 2009 he had a stroke. Shortly after that in July he suffered a heart Attack. In July he went into Carmel Hills care facility where he was visited daily by friends and family and especially enjoyed visits from his grandchildren Nehemiah, Taylor, and Malachi.

he went home to be with Jesus on September 4th and he will be missed by family and friends. He is preceded in death by His parents, Rose and Charles and his daughter Missy Ann.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Elmer
• David
• Wilcox
• video
• tribute

[AuntieLisa78]

I am so sorry 4 ur loss...I just recently lost my father August 11th 2010...He wasn't a man who took care of himself and died suddenly of a massive heart attack...I dont know how 2 get over the loss of my father...how did u go on and how long did it take 4 u be accept that he is in a better place? If I am outta line or asking 2 much, please feel free 2 tell me...Thank u and again, I am sorry 4 ur loss...Lisa

[mismindles]

He became a Christian in 1979 & started writing music & we were traveling to churches to sing. For a time he seemed to have walked away from The Lord & then toward the end I had this moment w/ him at the hospital where I asked him where he stood & he assured me he'd been talking to God a/b where he was & he rededicated his life. It was a great moment b/c he was suffering dementia & I needed God's reassurance & that ONE night for only a/b an hour, God answered my prayer & I had my father back.

[Ironwind1972]

Forgive him for he not knows what he says. God bless you and your family. I hope your father knew Christ.

[GuitarMatician]

thank you. i am sorry you lost your dad. =[ this is my grandpa in the video. I miss him too. it's cool to see him when he was a kid.

[GuitarMatician]

Thank you. I am his grandson. My mom made the video. I will tell her to come read your comment.

[OhneDich89]

Ok, so I commented at the beginning and just wanted to say again, how beautiful this is. I can tell that his family loved him very much. I am just a stranger, but you presented him to be a loving, humble man who loved kids, and his family.

This was wonderful, 5 stars.

[OhneDich89]

Wow, I am really sorry FOR "TheRedneckhillbilly." That is inexcusable. I hope that he never knows the pain of losing someone you love so much.

This is really beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[dannypantsgm]

This was really nice. My dad died almost 3 years ago. I'll always miss him. It helps to think about lost loved ones when they were in their greatest moments though. Five stars.

[GuitarMatician]

What is wrong with you? This is my grandpa. he died September 4th. I'm sure if you had someone die, you wouldn't want someone writing that. people are so rude today. Luckily my parents teach me to be kind to everyone. I'm guessing you didn't have those kind of parents.

[TheRedneckhillbilly]

gay