James Wilcox
September 30, 1929 - January 26, 2024
Obituary
Madison - James Edward Wilcox, age 94, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Friday January 26, 2024. He was born on September 30, 1929 to Vic and Clara Wilcox in Oak Park, Illinois but his family soon moved back to Madison, where he would live the rest of his life. He attended Lincoln Elementary School and graduated from Central High School In 1947. It was there that he met Alice Pertzborn, the love of his life. They were married in 1949 and were married for over 74 years. They welcomed five children: Linda, Susan, Steve, Greg, and Jeff.
Jim enlisted in the army in 1947 and served until 1949. After discharge, he worked at Ray-O-Vac for three years, then was the assistant registrar at UW-Madison for 10 years. He then took a role at UW-Madison’s Administrative Data Processing (now DoIT) where he worked in management for 28 years, retiring in 1987.
A talented athlete, he participated in several city leagues, winning the 1951 Madison basketball championship and the 1961 city major league fast pitch softball title. He was an avid Badger fan and held football season tickets for 63 years, attending every home game for 59 years without missing a week. He strongly resembled and was often mistaken for former athletic director Elroy Hirsch.
Jim was a great father, grandfather, and friend. He enjoyed taking kids to the park and swimming pool. He took pride in his children and grandchildren’s academic and athletic successes. He and Alice regularly hosted large gatherings, including their fourth of July and post-football parties, welcoming dozens of friends and family members into their home. He and Alice were regulars at Central High School class reunions and DoIT retirement gatherings. They went out for fish every Friday, often with their friends, the Vaughns. He had a smile and laugh that could be recognized across a room.
He is preceded in death by parents Vic and Clara Wilcox, in-laws Hedwig and Adolph Pertzborn, sisters-in-law Esther and Margaret Pertzborn, Dorothy Jafferis, Cathy Waters, Idelle Wilcox, Brothers-in-law James Waters, John Caruso, Tom Jafferis, Bill Bougher, Jim Komar, brother Don Wilcox, and daughter Susan Wilcox. He is survived by wife Alice (Pertzborn); his children Linda (Carl) Fuss, Steve (Betsy), Greg, and Jeff (Kari) Wilcox; his grandchildren CJ (Cindy) and Bryan (Brooke) Fuss, Bob (Peggy) Wilcox, Annie (Ryan) Panzer, Julie (Andrew) Gilbertson, Taylor and Teagan Wilcox; great grandchildren Sam, Jack, Jaiden, and Emma Fuss, Alice and Thomas Panzer, Ian and Cameron Wilcox, Ellie Gilbertson; his sister Patricia Komar; sisters-in-law Rachel Caruso, Barabara Bougher, and many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Fire Station #10, Dr Kostelyna at SSM, and the great people at St Mary’s Comfort Care unit, especially Dr Miller.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church, 5001 N. Sherman Avenue, Madison, at 11:00am on Thursday Feb 1, 2024, with Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl presiding. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the funeral, starting at 9:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to St Peters Church, or UW-Madison.
To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
2418 N. Sherman Avenue
608-249-8257