In Memoriam: Alum David W. Wilcox ('79)
David W. Wilcox, 75, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away on Saturday, December 7, after a lengthy illness. He was a kind man, a gifted lawyer, a devoted husband to Susan Wills Wilcox, and a father to Andrew. He will be missed by many.
David was proud to be a native Floridian and patriotic American, born at Eglin Air Force Base. He lived around the world as a child since his father was in the Air Force. David graduated from Tampa Robinson High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force, serving in Southeast Asia. After an Honorable Discharge, he enrolled in Manatee Junior College and was a member of the debate team. I was fortunate to meet and serve with Dave in campus leadership activities at MJC and I found a loyal friend for life.
In 1973, he transferred to Florida State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. As an undergraduate, Dave was a campus leader in organizations like ODK. He then attended the Florida State University College of Law, where he was business manager of Law Review. Dave was also a leader with me in the Phi Delta Phi law school leadership fraternity. Dave loved classic American cars and drove us in style to college functions and dinners at the panhandle coast in his prized Oldsmobile 442. He enjoyed taking us fishing at his parents' lake home at Okeechobee. Dave had a deep respect for history and tradition. I fondly recall his mother Hazel telling us stories of early Manatee County involving places like “Punkin Center.”
It was at FSU that he met his future wife, Susan, on the lawn of her Alpha Gamma Delta sorority house. He graduated with his Juris Doctor in 1979 before he moved to Bradenton to begin his law career at the firm of Icard, Merrill. After one year, he moved back to Tallahassee to serve as Governor Bob Graham’s assistant general counsel. He was very proud to be the sole Republican in a roomful of Democrats. He spent two legislative sessions with Gov. Graham and then moved back to Bradenton, returning to practice with Icard, Merrill. After two years, he opened his own law office and was a sole practice attorney for more than 40 years.
David was very active in his community and beyond. He served as President of the Manatee Kiwanis Club and was a recipient of the George Hixson Award. He was President, General Chairman, and Captain of the DeSoto Historical Society. He served as Treasurer of the Manatee County Bar Association and received the Manatee County Bar Association’s Lifetime Community Service Award. He was on the Board of Directors of the FSU Law School and of Manatee Glens and was a founding member of Take Back Bradenton and MOR Music TV. He also served as Chairman and Founder of Coast Bank and President of the Sportsman’s National Land Trust. He was a co-founder of the Committee for Open Democracy.
His hobbies included rooting for his beloved FSU Seminoles, even in the bad years. He was an avid sporting clays shooter, becoming one of Manatee County’s best shots. He grew orchids, and he enjoyed bird watching, participating several times in the Manatee County Audubon Society’s Christmas bird count. He also loved sitting on his back deck, feeding peanuts to the local squirrel population.
David is survived by his wife of forty years, Susan, and his son, Andrew (Hannah). He is predeceased by his parents, Carl M. and Hazel (Simpson) Wilcox, Sr., and his brother, Carl M. Wilcox, Jr.
- Tribute written by FSU Law alumnus Maury Kolchakian ('78)