Jeffery Wilcox

Memorial services for Jeffery Scott Wilcox will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Alberta, MN, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at a later date at Frog Lake Cemetery, rural Alberta.

Jeffery Scott Wilcox was born on August 16, 1956, at Moorhead, MN, to Sidney and Carol (Wilkins) Wilcox, the eldest of their three children. Jeff was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Donnelly, MN, and confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in Morris.

Jeff graduated, with honors, from Morris High School in 1974. In 1976, he earned a two-year degree from Alexandria Technical College for Tool and Die Making. From that time until his retirement, Jeff worked in the manufacturing industry, including shops in Fargo, Glenwood and Morris. In the same year, Jeff married Sue Holmes, and to this union was born a daughter, Stephanie Lynn.

On January 1, 1986, Jeff started his own job shop, “Jeff’s Precision Parts”, located on the grounds of Superior Industries, largely manufacturing shafts for Superior’s conveyors as well as repair work for local businesses and farmers. Long-time friend, Kathy (Larson) Sack worked as bookkeeper, secretary and occasional machine operator.

On December 4, 1987, Jeff and Kathy were united in marriage at Faith Lutheran Church in Morris, blending their families, Jeff’s daughter, Stephanie and Kathy’s two children, Jessica and Kevin Sack. At the time of Jeff’s passing, he and Kathy were married for 37 years.

Jeff and Kathy cherished their family, their marriage and worked well together in their growing business. In 1991, Jeff’s Precision Parts incorporated and the name changed to “Wilco Precision, Inc.” In April 1992, Jeff and Kathy built a new 7500 sq foot facility in the Morris Industrial Park. The job shop was a long and successful business venture, founded and advanced on Jeff’s skills as a Machinist. An employee once dubbed Jeffery, “The Metal Guru”, an apt description of his metal-working talent. A severe leg and ankle injury forced Jeff’s eventual retirement, and Wilco officially ceased operations in 2018, thereafter serving as Jeff’s hobby shop.

Jeff was known for his massive LP record collection and broad taste in music. He loved oddities and collecting old vehicles and bikes, “junk” and the occasional stray cat. One such stray wandered through the open overhead shop door one Indian summer afternoon in November. Finding no owner, “Buster” was adopted as Wilco’s official shop cat, attaching closely to Jeffery over the next ten years. Buster was brought home to be with Jeff during his last days, and will spend the rest of his days living with Kathy and her mother. Jeff was interested in current politics, changes in job shop technology, turning junk into useful or artistic objects, and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Alberta.

After a hard-fought battle with cancer, Jeffery passed away on January 30, 2025, at his home in Morris surrounded by family. He was 68 years old. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him and called him friend.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Kathy; children, Stephanie (Scott) Olson, Jessica (Justin) Nelson and Kevin (Heather) Sack; grandchildren, Brynna Olson (fiancé Austin Berlinger), Jaiden Olson, Tate Olson, Connor Nelson (fiancé Alora-Jade Ledezma), Grace Nelson, MaKenna Sack, Kyler Sack (Quincy Mundal) and great-granddaughter, Rayley Sack; siblings, Kirby (Pat) Wilcox and Jamie (Joe) Beyer; mother, Carol Wilcox; mother-in-law, Delores “Lorrie” Larson; sister-in-law, ViAnn (Kevin Smith) Larson, and nieces and nephews, Sydney (Mac) Kampmeier, Mac (Xochil) Beyer, Christina Larson, Darin Larson, Ryan Sack and Tyler Sack.

Jeff is preceded in death by his father, Sidney Wilcox; father-in-law, Maynard Larson; brother-in-law, Michael Larson; grandparents, Irven and Luella Wilcox and Floyd and Millie Wilkins.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the funeral arrangements.