James M. Wilcox, son of Howard and Alta (Browning) Wilcox, was born December 2, 1938, at Clearwater, Nebraska. James attended and graduated from Madison High School with the class of 1957. From July of 1959 to September 1962, he served in the United States Army. On September 1, 1963, James was married to Carolyn E. (Beaudette) Boelter at St John's Lutheran Church in Norfolk. The couple lived their entire married lives in Norfolk, where James was employed by Cobb Motors, Vulcraft Steel, Henningsen Foods, and for 29 ½ years, as a draftsman at Nucor.

James was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Norfolk, and was a life member of the Optimist Club. He was an avid Husker football fan, and enjoyed attending and watching his kids' and grandkids' sporting events.

James is survived by his wife, Carolyn Wilcox of Norfolk, Nebraska; sons, Randy Wilcox and wife Lisa of Norfolk (their children, Josh Wilcox, Daniel Wilcox, Lee Freudenburg and wife Heather, Brent Freudenburg, Kyle Freudenburg, and Wyatt Wilcox), Russ Wilcox and wife Kim of Norfolk (their children, Alec Wilcox, Emily Wilcox, and Connor Wilcox), and Regan Wilcox and wife Tricia of St Joseph, Missouri (their children, Mallorie Wilcox and Madden Wilcox); brothers, Dwain Wilcox of Palisade, Colorado, and Marvis Wilcox of Madison, Nebraska; sisters, Marsha Keck of Longview, Washington, and Bernita Hanel of Dodge, Nebraska; and special Swedish son, daughter, and grandchildren, Magnus Sjostedt, Sara Persson, Ella, and Rasmus of Hoor, Sweden.

He was preceded in death by his infant sons, Robert Wilcox and Ryan Wilcox; daughter-in-law, Kathy Wilcox; parents, Howard and Alta Wilcox; and brothers, Bud Wilcox, Richard Wilcox, Gene Wilcox, Golden Wilcox, Arlen Wilcox, and Mike Wilcox.