Robert "Bob" Lawrence Wilcox, Sr., age 81, of Benton, passed away Sunday, December 17, 2023.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Peggy Wilcox; two sons, Lawren Wilcox (Ellen) and Brent Wilcox (Joy); brother, Denny Wilcox (Ann); four grandchildren, Mallory, Chase, Brandon, and Katie Wilcox who lovingly knew him as "GrandBob"; sister-in-law, Donna Holloway (David); his nieces and nephews, Randy Holloway (Michele Logan), Julie Holloway, Randi Jo McCool (Gage), Carson Holloway (Chelsei), Parker Nelson, Maya Nelson, and Lauri Williams; Carolyn Hills Wilcox, mother of his children; and the most recent of his many Labrador Retriever companions through the years, Maverick.

He was born October 22, 1942, in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Bob (or Bobby as friends and family called him as a child) grew up at the Pine Island Resort, which his parents owned, on Lake Kabetogama in Minnesota. Much of his time there was spent exploring the lake in a V-bottom boat with his little brother, Denny.

When he was twelve, his parents moved Bob, Denny and little sister, Cheri, to Melbourne, FL. There, he developed a passion for baseball, hunting, and surfing. He graduated from Melbourne High School in 1960 and up until his death remained close to his Florida friends.

Upon high school graduation, Bob attended Florida State University where he was a four-year letterman in baseball. His team played in three College World Series during those years. He was also a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

After receiving his BA in English from FSU, Bob moved back to Melbourne where he received an offer to work for IBM. At that time, Bob, Carolyn, and their sons moved to Huntsville, AL for a brief period. The next move brought them to Little Rock, AR. Bob had a highly successful sales career in Arkansas. During his 25 years with IBM, he received the prestigious Golden Circle Award multiple times. He developed remarkably close friendships with his IBM work colleagues and Walnut Valley neighbors. There were many days spent at Lake Ouachita, Greers Ferry Lake, and on snow ski trips with these close friends.

Growing up at a fish camp in the northern woods of Minnesota set the stage for a life spent as an avid outdoorsman. In his later years, Bob could be found between September through February in a duck field or the deer woods pursuing his passion. In 1972, Bob joined the Camden Hunting Club where he was an active member for 50 years. Many of his closest friendships were made there.

Bob coached his sons, Lawren and Brent, in both baseball and football throughout their grade school and high school years. He was respectfully known as "Coach Wilcox" by the boy's friends and teammates. He took this opportunity     to not only have a positive impact on his sons' lives but also those of their teammates. Later in life, Bob became his grandchildren's and nephews' biggest fan. "GrandBob" rarely missed the grandkids' soccer and basketball games. His nephew, Carson, was one of his favorite athletes to watch play baseball and football. Bob was also a huge fan of both the FSU Seminoles and the Razorbacks.

Bob and Peggy married on June 14, 1993. "Peggo", as he affectionately called her, became the light of his life. Their 30-year marriage, spent in their home in the Salem community, was a loving, wonderful, and fun-filled marriage. Peggy and Bob enjoyed working together as partners in the computer and software industry right up until his death. They spent most of their free time enjoying days at Camden Hunting Club, golfing at Hurricane Country Club and many other courses, going on snow ski trips, spending weekends at the lake, and most of all, enjoying time with family and friends. During those 30-plus years with Peggy, Bob's family expanded to include his sons' wives and grandchildren, Peggy's sister and husband, Donna and David, and Peggy's nephews and nieces. He loved them all in his own special way.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence & Evelyn Grace Wilcox and his sister, Cheri Wilcox.

A visitation will be at the Ashby Funeral Home in Benton, AR on Thursday, December 28th at 1:00pm. A memorial service will follow beginning at 2:00pm. Pastor Bob Bridges will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Salem Volunteer Fire Department (1785 Salem Road Benton, AR 72019), the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation (www.agff.org) or a charity of your choice.