sooner n houston
12/9/2006, 11:48 AM
My father Ralph Franklin Wilcox born May 16, 1917 died today at St. Johns Medical Center in Tulsa. He was 89 years old. Born in Dallas Texas his family soon moved to Caddo, Ok. where he grew up. He was a lfie long Sooner fan!
He was truly one of the greatest generation. Born during WWI he also experienced the great depression and served in WWII. He was one of those men, spawned during those tough times, who was mentally and physically tough yet could be compassionate and kind though he often had a hard time showing it. He loved the Lord and attended Carbondale Baptist church for 55 years.
Much to his shame he never left the states during WWII, serving his country as a truck driver. Joining the Army on December 8, 1941 he was rushed through boot camp so he could begin serving because there was a desperate need for truck drivers.
He had played baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals before the war, quiting because he could make more money driving a 7-UP truck.
After the war he returned to truck driving for several years. He moved back to Dallas where his family had moved. He was married and divorced while there. While visiting family in Durant, he met my mother. She took a job in Bartlesville at Phillips 66 and he followed her there where they soon married.
Dad found a job at the DX refinery, now owned by SUNOCO, in Tulsa and mom transferred there with Phillips. He retired from the refinery at 65 and spent the next 10 years or so enjoying his retirement. They bought a motor home and a bass boat and spent a lot of time traveling and fishing. They particularly enjoyed Broken Bow and spent many months there. When he could no longer handle the boat he sold it and the motor home. They still traveled some enjoying their grand children and other family.
My dad was a powerful man, while only 5'10" tall, he had massive hands, arms and chest. His hands were especially big and something you would immediately notice if you should meet him. I think playing catcher for many years had deformed them in a strange way making his knuckles especially large.
Over the last two years dad's health began to really take a toll on him. He was unable to walk far so he began using a power chair. It was tough seeing him that way and he hated it. In May he had a stroke. He lost a lot of his mental capabilities and was never the same. Sunday he had a second stroke. This one disabled 75% of his brain and paralyzed him as well. We had to make the decision to not artificially prolong his life.
There were times during my youth that I hated him too. I had no understanding of what he had been through and saw him through the eyes of a rebellious teenager.
This is for my dad. Whom I loved greatly. May he be a peace and thank God his suffering is over.
He was truly one of the greatest generation. Born during WWI he also experienced the great depression and served in WWII. He was one of those men, spawned during those tough times, who was mentally and physically tough yet could be compassionate and kind though he often had a hard time showing it. He loved the Lord and attended Carbondale Baptist church for 55 years.
Much to his shame he never left the states during WWII, serving his country as a truck driver. Joining the Army on December 8, 1941 he was rushed through boot camp so he could begin serving because there was a desperate need for truck drivers.
He had played baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals before the war, quiting because he could make more money driving a 7-UP truck.
After the war he returned to truck driving for several years. He moved back to Dallas where his family had moved. He was married and divorced while there. While visiting family in Durant, he met my mother. She took a job in Bartlesville at Phillips 66 and he followed her there where they soon married.
Dad found a job at the DX refinery, now owned by SUNOCO, in Tulsa and mom transferred there with Phillips. He retired from the refinery at 65 and spent the next 10 years or so enjoying his retirement. They bought a motor home and a bass boat and spent a lot of time traveling and fishing. They particularly enjoyed Broken Bow and spent many months there. When he could no longer handle the boat he sold it and the motor home. They still traveled some enjoying their grand children and other family.
My dad was a powerful man, while only 5'10" tall, he had massive hands, arms and chest. His hands were especially big and something you would immediately notice if you should meet him. I think playing catcher for many years had deformed them in a strange way making his knuckles especially large.
Over the last two years dad's health began to really take a toll on him. He was unable to walk far so he began using a power chair. It was tough seeing him that way and he hated it. In May he had a stroke. He lost a lot of his mental capabilities and was never the same. Sunday he had a second stroke. This one disabled 75% of his brain and paralyzed him as well. We had to make the decision to not artificially prolong his life.
There were times during my youth that I hated him too. I had no understanding of what he had been through and saw him through the eyes of a rebellious teenager.
This is for my dad. Whom I loved greatly. May he be a peace and thank God his suffering is over.