Dean Wilcox

Dean Wilcox, a 46 year resident of Costa Mesa, passed away July 9^th after a six month battle with complications stemming from an Abdominal Aortic Aneurism. This silent killer snuck up on Dean one night and he fought hard to come back to us. The family would like to encourage everyone to talk to their doctor about testing for this devastating but fixable condition.

Dean was born on January 25, 1934 to Howard and Lillian Wilcox, of Larned, Kansas. He attended school at the University of Colorado and graduated with degrees in Pharmacology and Business. He served two years with the Army Cryptography unit. He married Judy Strell on June 11, 1960. Several years after moving to Southern California in 1962, Dean opened one of the only independent pharmacies in the area. Dean’s Pharmacy on 17^th Street in Costa Mesa, was his pride and joy – second only to his wonderful family.

Dean was a handsome man who got better with age. He loved and cared for his family and included his friends and neighbors under that title. One thing everyone has said about Dean is that they loved his sense of humor. He was a very intelligent man whose humor was also intelligent and if you didn’t get the joke it made it even more hilarious for him! Some would call him glib, some dry, but most would just want to hear what he had to say next.

Dean is survived by his wife, Judy, his son, Tom, daughter, Amy, grandchildren Elizabeth and Matthew, and brother, John. Preceding him in death are his parents and four siblings.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hoag Hospital for their care after Dean’s rush to the emergency room, and Kindred Acute Care Hospital, for their support of Dean and his family during his fight. Hoag’s staff called Dean their “Miracle Man” and continually checked on his progress.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations to the following charities be made. Clean Water Fund – World Vision, PO Box 70200, Tacoma WA 98481. Please include on your check Source # 105429207. And, a charity which provides guide dogs for Autistic Children – Dog Wish Foundation, C/O Fountain Valley Library, 17635 Los Alamos, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, on your memo line, please put: Kevin Sakurai.