Charles Ray Wilcox, 94, Orange, Texas,

Charles Ray Wilcox, 94, of Orange, Texas, passed away on March 16, 2018, at his home surrounded by family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange with Reverend Barry Bradley officiating. Burial with military rights will follow the service at Jett Cemetery in Orange.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Leesville, Louisiana, on March 5, 1924, he was the son of Ray Wilcox and Ida (Cavanaugh) Wilcox.

He proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Corp. during WWII. Charles retired from DuPont Sabine River Works after 35 loyal years of service.

He was a member of North Orange Baptist Church as well as the Orange County Historical Society.

He was the owner of Wilcox Market Garden where he raised and sold produce to the community.

He loved to visit with his customers and share a cup of coffee with them.

He employed and taught his grandchildren as well as many of the community’s teenagers and adults.

Charles loved his family dearly and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Ida Wilcox; and his loving wife of 55 years, Bonnie Burton Wilcox.

Charles is survived by his children, Dr. J.E. Wilcox and wife Jan, of Longview, Connie Fipps and husband Eddie, of Mena, AR, Nancy Peveto and husband Billy, of Buna, and Kenneth Ray Wilcox and wife Sheri, of Orange; grandchildren, Drew Wilcox, Dave Wilcox, Ashley Barker, Austin Elder, Connilyn Benson, Teri Daigle,

Lisa Crumpton, Amy McIlwain, Amberly Craft, Wendi Hinson, and Maci Wilcox; great-grandchildren, Heather Wilcox Cobb, Luke and Jacob Ray Wilcox, Mary-Claire and William Wilcox, Easton Barker, Isaac Elder, Everett Benson, Ty Daigle, Tanner, Trace, and Carli Crumpton, Cameron, Colton, and Carson McIlwain, Danyon, Blakely, and Cullen Ray Craft, and Samantha Hinson; and his great-great-granddaughters, Amelia, Addisyn, and

Mackenzie Cobb.

Serving as pallbearers will be Drew Wilcox, Dave Wilcox, Austin Elder, Duke Daigle, Randy McIlwain,

Stuart Marks, Grant Craft, and Jared Hinson.

Charles’ family would like to extend their thanks to Stephnay Holmes, Toni Williams, and Best Hospice for the wonderful care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Orange County Historical Society at P.O. Box 1345, Orange, TX 77631.