Larry Wilcoxson

(From Parker Mortuary)

Larry Lee Wilcoxson, age 72 of Joplin, passed away at home at 4:07 a.m. on Sunday, January 31, 2016 after a courageous three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born May 21, 1943 in Joplin, he was the son of the late William R. (Red) Wilcoxson and Mary Martha Reed Wilcoxson and lived in Joplin his lifetime. Larry graduated with the Class of 1961 from Joplin High School. He served seven years with the Army National Guard. At age 13, he began working alongside his father at Fred & Red's Café, later becoming the sole owner and operator until his retirement in 2012. He was a long time member of South Joplin Christian Church. While his work took up much of his time he enjoyed great times spent with family and friends. He enjoyed scuba diving, fishing, hunting, playing with his dogs, and golfing. Larry loved having his family around for cookouts, family holidays, and annual traditions of apple picking and traveling to Destin. He was a member of a competitive Trap and Skeet team, “the Rookies”, with his sons-in-law and grandsons.

On February 4, 1963, he married Judy Ann Sumners at Miami, OK and made 53 years of joyful memories. She survives.

Additional survivors include two daughters, Jennifer Roughton and husband Michael of Joplin, Amber Tankersley and husband Craig of Joplin; four grandchildren, Matthew and Hailey Roughton, Parker and Samantha Tankersley; his sister, Janet Chitwood and husband Mike of Denver, CO; his brother, Bill Wilcoxson and wife Sandy; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey Scott Wilcoxson.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Parker Mortuary with Richard Chambers officiating. Interment will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with family members serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends and family from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Joplin Humane Society or Mercy Hospice.

The family expresses their gratitude to Drs. LaFrancis and Dillingham, along with their staff, for their compassionate care. Also, thanks to Larry Downey and Vic Colson for their continued friendship.