Don Wilcox

Don Lee Wilcox was born on March 1, 1949 in Omaha, Nebraska. The 5th child of the late James Leon and Opal G. Wilcox. His family lived in many places as he grew up, they settled for a couple of years in Ketchum while his father was building, this is where he graduated from Wood River Highschool. He received a scholarship for wrestling at Boise college, he was small but quick on his feet, determined, and won his matches using his brain over his brawn! This is where he met so many lifelong friends. He was a proud Boise resident and die-hard bronco fan for the remainder of his life.

D.W. was an independent contractor. He could build from breaking ground to the last shingle placed on the roof.  His favorite part of his career was carpentry. He loved to tell people “You know Jesus was a carpenter, right?” He had several other jobs outside of his career. He loved the challenge of investing in and flipping real estate. He taught his daughter that there is no real reward without risk.   He managed the Broadway bar and then opened, owned, and operated Doc’s bar to season his liquor license, which was another side gig he was very passionate about. He met so many great friends and loved having cocktails and sharing stories at both of these watering holes.

In 1984 Don and Kathy welcomed their daughter, Ashley Marguerite Wilcox. Don considered fatherhood his greatest accomplishment. From the beginning, they were very best friends and took on life as a team. Ashley was the light of her father’s life and he is her forever hero!

Don was an adventure seeker and loved to live life on the edge. In 1989 he discovered white water rafting, he lived for the sport and the thrill. There wasn’t a class 5 rapid that he wouldn’t challenge to a duel. His motto was always “go big or go home!” He loved everything golf! Playing, practicing, watching, betting, or endlessly talking about it. He wasn’t the best “stick” but it wasn’t for lack of effort or passion.  Let’s make something very clear, he was not a sandbagger, he just played really well under pressure!

Doc loved to drop everything and travel, and he did a lot of it. Whether it was a trip to Hawaii, riding a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon or taking Ashley on the road with him all over the southwest to show her what he thought to be some of life’s hidden gems. He was always seeking an adventure. He said he briefly retired in his thirties when he went south of the border to do south of the border things. He loved sharing his epic stories from Mazatlán.

Don Lee is survived by his beloved daughter (Ashley Wilcox), his loving sisters Sheron (Sam) Ladue, Marylin (Terry) Thompson, and many nieces, nephews, and friends he considered family. He is preceded in death by his parents, 5 siblings, and other loved ones.

Please join us in celebrating Doc’s life on Friday May 6, 2022 at Barber Park event center. “Doctail” hour will begin at 5 pm, followed by a service, refreshments, and food. It will conclude with a sunset toast to our father, brother, uncle, and friend. We hope to see you there. Ashley would like to have photos as keepsakes so please bring your favorite pic of Don and we will have a memory table set up.

Celebration of Life

Friday, May 6, 2022 @ 5:00pm

Barber Park Event Center

4049 S Eckert Rd

Boise, ID 83716