Dean Wilcox, of Perry, Utah, passed away peacefully in his sleep January 29, 2023, at the age of 73. He was born in Ogden, the third of six children to Lynn and Bernice Wilcox.
Dean grew up in Syracuse, Utah, where he learned the value of hard work and other life lessons working on the family farm. Summers were spent hauling hay around Pinedale. He graduated from Clearfield High School in 1967.
Dean married Linda Glasmann and together they had a daughter, Andrea. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971 and was stationed in Fuerth, Germany. He attended Weber State University. He married Merial Dustin and they raised three daughters, Shana, Meka and Deana. He married Lana Russell and together they raised their son Taylor. After his military service, Dean worked at Hill Air Force Base until his retirement in 2008.
Dean and Lana fell in love with Evanston. They lived on a small ranch where Dean devotedly worked his land and cared for his horse, donkey, barn cats and dogs. They relished the tranquility of Wyoming and the many loving friends in that supportive community. Dean stood strongly by Lana’s side as she bravely faced a four-year battle against cancer.
Dean was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and fisherman. He was an advocate and lover of nature and all animals, great and small. Horsemanship was a unique and special gift that Dean imparted to his children. He was very proud of his daughters’ achievements in this area, as they rose to the top echelons of their sport. He beamed with pride as he watched them compete in their barrel racing and chariot racing events. Dean adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They lovingly refer to him as Papa Dean.
Dean was preceded in death by his father, Lynn J., and mother, Bernice; his wife Lana; their son Taylor; brother Lynn L.; niece Ashley Eve Wilcox; and great nephew Henry Kendell.
Dean is survived by his daughters, Andrea Fletcher, Shana (Gregg) Gibson, Meka (Derek) Farr and Deana (Troy) Kruitbosch; eight grandchildren and two great- grandchildren; his sister Itha (Jack) Rampton; sister-in-law Shirley Wilcox; his brothers, Don (Nancy) Wilcox, Doug (Kathy) Wilcox and Con (Jeri) Wilcox; his father-in-law Jerry (Gin) Russell; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Chad (Susan) Russell, Gaylene (Dan) Block, Rand (Janice) Russell, Brad (Vikki) Russell, John Russell; and many nieces and nephews.
All family and friends are welcome for an open house celebration of life to be held at Plain City Produce, 1897 N 4700 W, in Plain City, Utah on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, from 2:00-5:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that donations be made in his honor to Wounded Warriors (http://support.woundedwarriorproject.org) and Brigham City Animal Shelter (www.bcutah.org) or an animal shelter of your choice.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.gfc-utah.com through the Brigham City Gillies Funeral Chapel website.
Click this link to view additional details about Dean’s services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/dean-wilcox
