James Robert Wilcox

James Robert Wilcox was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was born in North Brookfield, New York on August 16, 1935. The son of James H. Wilcox and Lillian Ellis Wilcox, James was the youngest of four siblings and was raised by his mother and stepfather Harry Baran in Utica, New York.

James was a proud graduate of Utica Free Academy High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University. Following two years of service in the U.S. Army, he obtained his master’s degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta.

He embarked on his chosen career as a public school teacher in Clinton, New York where he met his future wife, Catherine Jane Cadwell. They were married at St. James Episcopal Church in Clinton on July 27, 1963. James and Catherine welcomed their son Michael Jon into the world, followed by their daughter Stacey Sue.

James and his young family moved to Mission Viejo, California in 1971 where he continued his teaching career in the Orange Unified School District. He and Catherine lived in Mission Viejo for 39 years and he would forever consider Southern California to be his true home.

James was an active member of the Episcopal Church, and later, the Anglican Catholic Church. Upon his retirement from teaching in 1997, he pursued graduate studies in theology and embarked on his second career as an ordained priest in the Anglican Catholic Church. He served as the rector of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Orange, California until his retirement in 2010. That same year, he and Catherine moved to Mansfield, Missouri to live near their daughter Stacey and her family. They subsequently converted to Roman Catholicism and were members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Mansfield.

James had a great love of history and enjoyed travel, particularly to attend cultural events and to visit his son in Florida during the winters. He was actively involved with all of his grandchildren’s activities and they held a special place in his heart. He was an interesting, engaging conversationalist who always enjoyed a good cup of coffee with friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, brothers Howard and Harold, and sister Mae. His beloved wife Catherine passed away in 2010.

He is survived by his son Michael Wilcox of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as his daughter Stacey (Wilcox) Bishop and her husband Samuel Bishop, his granddaughters Samantha Bishop, Shyanne Bishop, and grandson Silas Bishop, all of Mansfield, Missouri. James was also blessed with special friends, Joris Jabouin of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Tom and Rosemary Roets of Seymour, Missouri.

James will live on in our hearts and serve as an eternal light in this world for his love of family, friends and his professional accomplishments. On October 3, 2023 it was God’s decision to bring him to his eternal home. May he rest in peace and his memory be a blessing to all he touched.