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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jul '99
Norman Sturgis Wilcox No. l6095 Class of 1946
Died in New Braunfels, Texas 7 November 1995
Interment: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Fort Sam Houston,
Texas. |
Norman Sturgis Wilcox was born in Lansdown, PA,
and recruited to West Point to play basketball. Norman received
a medical discharge after an accident suffered during an advanced
training exercise. He left the East Coast, and headed to west
Texas in 1948, where he began working in the oil fields around
Midland, Texas.
Norman married several years later and had three
girls, Cynthia, Betty and Kathy. Norman's first marriage ended
in divorce. In 1954, Norman moved to San Antonio, TX, and began
working for Prudential Life Insurance Company. Norman then married
Mona Minette Keuneke in 1960 and had two sons, Mark Sturgis was
born in 1963 and Scott Steven in 1965.
While in San Antonio, Norman was a member of several
charitable organizations, including the Optimists Club, which
worked to improve the lives of young disadvantaged boys. Through
his membership in these organizations Norman made many lifelong
friendships. Norman had a great sense of humor and a quick wit
that endeared him to many people. In 1973 Norman's wife, Mona
Minette (Mitz), passed away with a rare kidney disorder. Finding
himself as the sole care provider for two young sons, Norman
found he needed a change of scenery and jobs.
In 1974, after a career of 20 years with Prudential,
Norman went back to work in the oil field services industry,
moving his family to Houma, LA. After accepting a management
position with Equipment Renewal Company, Norman spent the next
15 years of his life raising his sons. During that time, he relocated
with Equipment Renewal Company (ERC) to New Iberia, LA; Rock
Springs, WY; Denver, CO; and finally to Houston, TX, in 1979.
Norman retired from ERC in 1983 when he acquired
ownership of Jenny's, a restaurant in Empire, CO. Norman remained
in Colorado until 1989, when he retired permanently to New Braunfels,
TX. He saw both his sons graduate from college and marry. He
was a great father and teacher who prepared all his children
for success in life.
Norman passed away in November 1995 after being
diagnosed with lung cancer in January of the same year. He is
survived by his five children, 16 grandchildren and four great
grandchildren. Norman will always be cherished by those friends
and family lucky enough to have been touched by his humor, dignity,
and compassion.
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