Jack T. Wilcox, 87, of San Juan Capistrano died the evening of December 22, 2017 at an Irvinehospital in the presence of loved ones from respiratory complications and/or old age.

Born on March 21, 1930 to parents Don and Dorothy Wilcox who raised Jack in Laguna Beach alongside his brother and lifelong best friend Don. Jack always recalled a happy childhood playing sports, hunting rabbits in the hills, and using the deposits from soda bottles found at the beach to see an occasional movie. After High School, Jack was drafted into the Army to serve in the Korean War. His rabbit hunting skill proved useful as Jack earned the Army designation of "Sharpshooter" and upon his eventual discharge had several marksmanship medals to go along with a Purple Heart.

After the war, Jack returned to Laguna Beach and began a career with General Telephone eventually supporting the most complex PBX systems around town including the hospital and major hotels. It was at the phone company where Jack met his first love Frances "Frankie" Brown. They would eventually marry and have two boys, John and Tim, and settle in a new unincorporated area that would become Laguna Niguel. Jack was a great family man and father, often seen in the front yard playing catch with the boys after work. On weekends you could find him with the family at the beach or off at one of the boy's sporting events. Interestingly, many years later after Laguna Niguel had become a city of its own, Jack and Frankie were honored as having been its very first two residents.

Jack and Frankie enjoyed some years together after retirement and continued to stay active with travel, biking, tennis, and walks through Dana Point Harbor. Jack lost Frankie to a battle with cancer in 1996. Shortly after, Jack was fortunate to find and develop a new love filled relationship with long time family friend Melanie Roquet Kachickas who had not too long ago lost her husband. Jack was so happy as love blossomed quickly and the two were married the following year in Kona, Hawaii. They loved Kona and would spend a month per year there for many years to come. Jack and Melanie fit together like two perfect puzzle pieces. They moved in to Melanie's home in San Juan Capistrano and continued to travel, entertain, play cards, and stay active with many friends and family. Jack would often recall the unexpected pleasure he took in walking through the Korean War Memorial on a trip with Melanie to Washington D.C. Jack was an involved grandfather, always seeking to have the kids over or take them on bike rides. The back patio of their house was one of Jack's favorite places as he could sit there and take in the view from high above Dana Point Harbor. Melanie became Jack's angel as he developed and passed through the stages of Alzheimer's Disease with her at his side for the whole journey. In the late stages of the disease, Jack's passing was a blessing.

Jack is survived by his wife Melanie Wilcox, his brother and sister-in-law Don and Verna Wilcox, his sons and their wives John and Colleen and Tim and Denise Wilcox, and seven grandchildren.

Jack will be buried at Anaheim Cemetery. There are no funeral services. In lieu of flowers or charitable donations Jack would have wanted you to do something nice for a loved one or for yourself. He will be missed.

Please join us in remembering Jack Turner Wilcox. Through this site we invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family.