Life Reflections of Deacon Leonard E. Wilcox

Leonard, the third of eight children, was born to the late Robert L. Wilcox, Sr. and the late Mrs. Florine Butler Wilcox on May 18, 1932. He attended Darnell Cookman Elementary, Davis Street Jr High and graduated from Old Stanton High School in the January midterm- class of 1952.

Furthering his education, he entered Florida A&M College in Tallahassee, Florida in February of the same year.  Leonard majored in Health and Physical Education. While attending Florida A&M College, he became a member of the Alpha Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc in 1953.

Leonard entered the U.S Army in 1954 and was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. as a Paratrooper. He was Honorably Discharged from the military in November 1957.

Leonard then returned to Florida A&M University in June 1959 and graduated in 1961.

Leonard met and married the former Miss Catherine Mote on February 2, 1956. They remained married for 68 glorious years. This union was blessed with three daughters, Angela, Pamela, and Karen.

Deacon Wilcox became a member of Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church at the age of 12 in 1944 and remained a member until he departed this life. He was a very active member and served numerous roles in the church. He served as Deacon of District #6, a Sunday School Teacher, a Boy Scout leader of Troop #77, in the Men's Choir, and on Usher Ministry #2.

Leonard served as a Supervisor with the Department of Juvenile Justice at the Duval Detention Center for 27 years. Also, he worked as a Duval County Public School Teacher for 34 years. Leonard retired from the Duval Detention Center in 1989 and retired as an Educator while teaching at Stanton College Prep in 1992. He continued working as a Substitute Teacher at Stanton College Prep and Paxon Senior High Schools, as well as James Weldon Johnson Middle School until 2019.

After retiring, Leonard enjoyed providing gardening and landscaping services to his friends, family members, and the Mt Sinai and First Timothy Baptist Churches. He used this opportunity to mentor young men by teaching them a trade and showing them the benefits of hard work, dedication, and tenacity.  In addition, Leonard enjoyed participating with the Stanton January class of 1952 where he served as Treasurer until he was no longer able.

During the last few years of his life, Leonard enjoyed spending time with his wife and family celebrating holidays, birthdays, weddings, taking trips and attending baseball games.

On March 17, 2024 Leonard E. Wilcox departed this llife.  God has truly been good to Leonard by blessing him with a loving wife, dedicated children, beautiful grandchildren, and amazing great grandchildren. Leonard leaves behind brothers and sisters who loved him, church and district members who revered him and a class who will miss him. In addition, he leaves behind countless wonderful friends and other relatives with whom he has developed lasting and memorable relationships throughout his lifetime.