Robert John "Bob" Wilcox
Marriages
Sharon Bussey - 1954
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 7C - August 14, 2022
Robert “Bob” Wilcox,
age 86, passed away
peacefully at home with
his wife by his side in
Grand Junction, Colorado,
on August 2, 2022.
Born in Northport,
Michigan, during the Great Depression in 1935 to
Claude and Christena Wilcox, Bob knew the value of
hard work and frugality. At eleven, he earned money
picking cherries to pay for an eye exam and glasses
rather than ask his parents. After graduating from
Northport High School, he briefly attended Michigan
College of Mining and Technology.
Bob married his high school sweetheart, Sharon
Bussey, in 1954. He started his family and career in
Flint, Michigan, working for 19 years at General Motors
as a tool and die machinist and foreman. In 1973,
Bob purchased a motel and moved his large brood to
Glenwood Springs, Colorado. He was an entrepreneur
for over 40 years with properties in Colorado, Wyoming
and Texas. Bob and Sharon owned and operated West
Gate Inn and Otto’s Restaurant in Grand Junction for
28 years.
Bob’s priority was his family, working hard to ensure
their care and education. A jack-of-all-trades and
accomplished carpenter, he completed tasks himself
and taught his children valuable skills.
With a positive spirit and open heart, Bob’s generosity,
selflessness and love knew no limits. He sparked
friendly, funny, insightful conversations with everyone
he met, offering humor, wisdom and acceptance. It was
rare to leave his presence without receiving a crucifix,
Right to Life pin, Bible, flashlight or Spanish dictionary.
A constant learner and great teacher, he enjoyed
reading, hunting, traveling and learning Spanish. If Bob
was not building or fixing something, he was probably
quizzing you about history, Spanish or the presidents.
His quest for worldly knowledge led him to visit many
countries, including solo adventures immersing himself
in Spanish-speaking cultures. An avid collector, he
amassed impressive collections of antiques and items
of interest.
A man of faith, Bob prayed before every meal,
thanked God daily and worked to help others. He
served his communities as a member and leader of
many groups and helped found organizations for single
mothers. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus
at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, an
advocate for Right to Life, and a firm believer in
accepting and loving all people.
Robert is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sharon
(Bussey) Wilcox; children, Sharee Black, James (Mary
Ann) Wilcox, David Wilcox, Ann (Wayne) Fox, Joseph
Wilcox, Carol Wilcox, Bradley (Julia Morizawa)
Wilcox, Christena Bligh and Lisa (Beau) Foubert,
daughter-in-law Verla Wilcox, 25 grandchildren, 18
great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his sisters; Patricia Vingsness,
Barbara Mervau and Kathleen Kelly.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, brother,
two sisters, an infant daughter, son William Wilcox,
son-in-law Duane Black and grandsons Chad Sulzmann
and Jared Parsons.
There will be a viewing at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary
from 4:00 - 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 18, with a
rosary at 6:00 PM. A funeral mass with reception will
be celebrated at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic
Church at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 19. Interment
will be at Leelanau Township Cemetary in Northport,
Michigan.
Contributions can be made in Bob’s name to
HopeWest, Birthright of Grand Junction, or Mother
Teresa House in Lansing, Michigan, a hospice home
founded and directed by Bob & Sharon’s niece, Karen
Bussey.
