Earl Henry "Hank" Wilcox,Jr.

Mr. Earl Henry ""Hank"" Wilcox, Jr., 69, of Winston Salem passed away Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Forsyth Medical Center, following a brief illness. Mr. Wilcox was born in Richmond, VA on January 4, 1946 to Earl and Lena (Redman) Wilcox. In his early years, Hank was a proud lifeguard at Myrtle Beach after graduating from McClenaghan High School in 1964. He attended the University of South Carolina, where he met his wife, Patricia ""Pat"" Cole. They were married in 1966. Hank then joined the family business, Wilcox Office Equipment in Florence, SC. Along with a successful career as a computer programmer/engineer; he also had a passion for intellect and research. Hank loved to read scientific journals and books. He held four invention patents and was very proud to have authored a book about virtues and ethics, a personal topic close to his heart and mind. An avid thinker, he loved spending time with his close friends and family, discussing current affairs and retelling great stories. His longtime close friend, Mike Hall of Atlanta, GA, provided many wonderful hours of spirited debate and generous camaraderie. Hank was thrilled for Mike's recent marriage to Leigh. Mr. Wilcox was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Pat; two daughters, Noelle Butler and husband Michael of Bozeman, MT, and Emily W. Lefebvre and husband Guillaume of Santa Cruz, CA; one son, Jason Wilcox and wife Kendra of Winston Salem; five grandchildren, ""my girls"" Lyndsay and Anna Wilcox, and ""my boys"" Jackson and Davis Butler, and Benjamin Lefebvre; one sister, Christie Wilcox of Charleston, SC; and two brothers, Biff Wilcox and Don Wilcox, both of Florence, SC. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. The family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. Georgia Scott and the many nurses for their compassionate care of Hank. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Make-A-Wish Foundation, Central and Western North Carolina, 1131 Harding Place, Charlotte, NC 28204. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.