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James"Big Jim" Carlton Willcoxon, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, left this earth for the glories of Heaven, Tuesday morning, March 30, 1999. In the words of his wife, Donna,"Jim has shown us the love and servant heart of God, and that God is an everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and faithful friend. Jim showed me the Spirit of Jesus' love in living and in dying." Jim married Donna Holmes in 1963 after the death of his first wife, Noma Burgner. He is also survived by four daughters, Jan Mast and husband, Ken, Jeannie Moats and husband, Greg, Debra Weigel and husband, Bill, all of the Kansas City area, and Amy Moslander and husband, Jim of Antigua, West Indies. He was the greatly loved grandfather of Derek and Darin Mast, Mrs. Dan (Stacy) Weed, Travis and Loralee Moats, Billy, Josh and Danny Weigel, and Nattie, Ellie and Arek Moslander. Other survivors are a brother, Lawrence and wife, Geraldine of Fort Worth, TX; and three sisters, Mrs. Martha Rook, Mrs. Beverly McKee and husband, Denzel, and Mrs. Carol Sue Holliday and husband, Leonard. Jim was born in Coffeyville, KS July 14, 1918 to Maude Lee and Arthur Lee Willcoxon. From Coffeyville Junior College he went to Colorado University in Boulder where he distinguished himself as an All-America Basketball player. He graduated in 1940. He then worked for Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville, OK, where he also played basketball for the Phillip 66 Oilers. Serving his country in WWII, as an amphibious landing craft commander, he was a veteran of three major invasions in the Mediterranean theatre of war. He participated in landings at Sicily, Southern Italy, and Anzio beachheads. Returning from the war, Jim taught and coached in Coffeyville and Topeka, KS. With the Equitable Life Assurance Co., Jim served as agent, district manager, agency manager, culminating his career as regional agency vice-president in Chicago. Moving to Albuquerque in 1974 as agency manager, Jim's desire for excellence won him many accolades with the Equitable Life Company. He was a member of the Equitable Hall of Fame and the Million Dollar Round Table. Upon retiring as the regional vice president, a special edition of the Equitable newsletter expressed,"His closing remarks were as you would expect from him--direct, sincere and humble. The standing applause and acclaim for Jim as he concluded were ample testimony of the love and respect for the man who served so well." Jim's life reflected the depth of his belief that man was created in the image of God and for the purpose to glorify God, and love and serve Him wholeheartedly in his home, in the workplace. He walked with God and those around him were blessed to learn His walk and way. Jim and Donna have been very active at Hoffmantown Church where they have faithfully served in youth and single's ministries and started the prayer room. Jim was chairman of the deacons and active in the discipleship ministry. He was also active in Promise Keepers, even attending the historic stand in the gap in Washington, DC, with over a million other men. Yad-b-'Yad and golfing were two of his other loves. Greatly loved and admired, Jim made everyone feel that they were the most important person to him--both young and old. He loved of children, was a mentor of men, and encourager to all. He faithfully kept in touch with friends from all phases of his life. The outpouring of love expressed during his recent illness is a testimony of his life, leaving a legacy to all who knew him of devotion to God, love of family and friends, and joy of living. He will be greatly missed, but we can visualize him in Heaven rejoicing with loved ones gone before handing out sticks of gum to children and looking for the best of golf course around. Services will be Saturday, 10:00 a.m., at Hoffmantown Baptist Church, 8888 Harper Rd. NE, with Pastor Charles Lowery officiating and Pastor Ken Moore assisting. Internment will be at Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery in Kansas. Pallbearers will be Ken Mast, Greg Moats, Bill Weigel, Jim Moslander, Derek and Darin Mast, Travis Moats, Billy, Josh and Dan Weigel. Memorials may be made to Hoffmantown Church to the"Big Jim" Willcoxon Memorial, to Yad-b-'Yad (Christian and Jews hand in hand), or to Promise Keepers. Friends may visit French Mortuary, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Friday, 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
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