Arthur Elmer Wilcox

Arthur Elmer Wilcox, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 5:30 p.m., with his daughter Laura at his side. He will be fondly remembered by all, as a vivacious, character, friend, father and brother.  He was born in Enumclaw Washington by Arthur Cleveland Wilcox and Laura Ellen Wilcox. He attended school at Kent Meridian/ Auburn High Schools, where he was one of 116 graduating class of 1950, known as ”Oscar” and last year attended his 62^rd High School Reunion. He had played football and was a self-described class clown. After which he became a hairstylist and played football for the Seattle Cavaliers. He then married Freya Midel and had three children, Laura Lee Cartwright, Lisa Marie Johnson and Keith Brien Wilcox. He drove for Lakeside Sand & Gravel, worked on the building of the Boeing plants in Auburn and Everett. He primarily styled hair and created hairpieces for New Man Styling Salon on the 36^th floor of the Seafirst Building in Seattle.

Art went back to school and attended Skagit Business College for Accounting and became the Student Body President. An entrepreneur at heart, Art was always trying new things and worked on a hairpiece implant system, worked flocking Christmas trees and ran roadside fruit stands. He was ever changing and adapting to new ways to earn a living during his life. He was a very personable person and always had a smile and wave. He tried hard to help others and to always be there for his neighbor, friends and children.

Art is survived by his brother, children and 6 grandchildren who have given him 8 great grandchildren. He enjoyed life and lived in Canyon Park Mobile Home Park for the last 10 years. Were he had many good friends, Dale and Pat. Art sold handicap carts and scooters, helped many people tirelessly as he was always ready to lend a helping hand to run and pick up a friend or help family. Many people may recognized his long running ad in the Little Nickel; “Will bring cart to you anywhere in Western Washington no obligation to buy.” He met so many friends and sold carts to get out and meet new people rather than for profit. He enjoyed bartering and garage/ estate sales kept him hopping every weekend around the Seattle area. His neighbors would come by just to see all the good deals he had found and haggle to get the good stuff he had found.

Art loved to drive his truck and would go over the mountains to Yakima, to visit his brother and just to pick up a load of vegetables and fruit from the farms and bring them back to share with everyone. The fresh tomatoes, Walla-Walla’s, corn, watermelon and peaches, we all looked forward to. He recently went to help his brother pick-up a car from Oregon and turned around and drove home all in a 14 hour drive. He thought nothing of driving that far, in a day. His favorite times were the family reunions, get together with family and his friends Sandy Byrd and her beautiful children, Kenny, Cheryl and Jeff, who always treated Art like their father.

Arthur E. Wilcox was a loving father and will be truly missed by all.  For a photo memory of Arthur’s life please go to laura.l.cartwright@facebook.com.

Memorial Service July 11th 2014, 4 pm at Barton Family Funeral Service, 11630 Slater Ave. NE, Kirkland, WA 98034.  Private family service in Yakima, WA, July 25th 2014.