Earl Eugene "Gene" Wilcox, 83, died Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, in Henderson, Nev.

He was born Sept. 16, 1923, in Jackson, son of Earl E. and Della Crites Wilcox. He married Maxine Ray.

Wilcox grew up in Jackson and Shawneetown, and graduated from Jackson High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 aboard the destroyer USS Strong in the Pacific during World War II.

He and a partner later established Frederick-Wilcox Auto in Jackson. He worked many years in auto sales, and had been a manager for a championship boxer. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and charter member of Cape Girardeau Elks Lodge.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Earl Wilcox of O'Fallon, Ill., Lonnie Wilcox of Las Vegas, Kurt Wilcox of Perry, Fla.; two stepchildren, Joe Ray and Mary Lou Keener of California; a sister, Marjorie Stearns of Perryville, Mo.; two grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and 10 great-stepgrandchildren.

La Paloma Funeral Service in Las Vegas is in charge of arrangements.