Dr. Charles “Charlie” J. Wilcox, 89, of Gainesville died Monday, December 16, 2019 at North Florida Regional Medical Center, Gainesville, FL. Dr. Wilcox was born on March 28, 1930, in Harrisburg, Pa. The son of Charles John and Gertrude May (Hill) Wilcox , he married Eileen Louise Armstrong, on August 27, 1955, and welcomed children Marsha Lou Wilcox Mastriforte and Douglas Edward Wilcox in 1959 and 1963, respectively.
Charlie served as a 2nd Lieutenant, U.S. Army, from 1951-53 in Korea, receiving a Bronze star, Combat Infantry Badge and 3 Korean Campaign medals. After his release from duty, he operated a family owned dairy farm in Charlotte, Vermont from 1955-56. Charlie earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Vermont (1950) and his Master (1955) and PhD (1959) degrees from Rutgers University.
Dr. Wilcox was a tenured Professor of Dairy Science at the University of Florida (1959-95) and Professor Emeritus until his death. He was a world-renowned consultant in the areas of bovine genetics and international agriculture, with numerous invited speakerships that took him on adventures to Great Britain, Europe, the Middle East, Canada, Mexico, and South America as well as throughout the United States. Dr. Wilcox was a prolific writer with numerous textbooks, textbook chapters, and scientific articles to his credit. During his teaching career, one of his greatest pleasures was guiding his graduate students through the rigors of the dissertation process.
Charlie was active in civic organizations including the Florida Holstein Association (president 1979), American Registry of Professionals of Animal Science (examining board 1987-95), American Society of Animal Science, American Dairy Science Association (member editorial board 1999-2005), Florida Guernsey Club (president 1974-76), and the Florida Jersey Cattle Club (board director).
Charlie received numerous awards and recognitions during his career. Among these are Senior Research Scientist award, Sigma XI (1994), International Award for Distinguished Service for Agriculture, Gamma Sigma Delta (1987), Distinguished Service Award, Florida Purebred Dairy Cattle Association (1986), Award of Merit Senior Faculty, Gamma Sigma Delta (1984), and Award of Merit Junior Faculty (1968).
Charlie is greatly missed by his wife of 65 years, Eileen Wilcox, and children Marsha Lou Mastriforte and Douglas E. (Kim) Wilcox as well as grandchildren Nicole, Matthew and Samuel Mastriforte, and Gabriel and Kaci Wilcox.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to:
World Wildlife Fund
1250 Twenty-Fourth Street, N.W.
P.O. Box 97180
Washington, DC 20090-7180
