Robert 'Dean' Wilcoxen

Robert "Dean" (Wilson) Wilcoxen passed away Dec. 4, 2013, after a long illness. Dean was born Feb. 22, 1931, in the back room of the old Durham, Ark., schoolhouse where his mother, Nora Ethel Brothers-Wilson, taught school. His father, Charles Henry Wilson, deserted the family before Dean was born. Dean studied genealogy for some time trying to find a link to his father but was never successful. His mother married Joel Carl Wilcoxen in 1935 and left Arkansas for California in 1936 to search for a better living. Dean joined the Navy and served on the aircraft carrier USS Randolph during the Korean War. In 1957, he married Mary Carolyn Thornton. They had three children, Raymond Dean Wilcoxen, Steven Louis Wilcoxen and Patricia Lynn Wilcoxen-Chamlee. Raymond is part owner and manager of a surf resort on an island off the coast of Indonesia. Ray is married to Jenny and they have two sons, Dylan Dean and Jayden James; Steven is semi-retired and lives in Fayetteville after spending his career abroad in the Petrochemical business. Patricia married Mike Chamlee 2001 and lives in Fayetteville. Mike and "Tricia" met at Hanna's Candle Company where they both worked for several years. After living most of his life in California, Dean retired and moved back to his roots in Arkansas. Dean was preceded in death by half-sister, Virginia E. Brothers in 1936; his half-brother, Howard James Hamilton in 1975; and half-sister, Jacqueline Brothers-Nixon in 1991. Services will be held at Beard's Funeral Chapel in Fayetteville on Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. There will be a gathering of friends from noon to 1 p.m. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at the Fayetteville National Cemetery.