Donald Spears Wilcox, Sr.

Donald Spears Wilcox, Sr., 83, of Mulberry, Arkansas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, on Friday, August 15, 2025.

Don was a proud Marine Corps veteran and later retired from a career as a welder. A man of faith, he was a devoted member of Mulberry Church of Christ. Don had a lifelong love of the outdoors and found great joy in trapping, hunting, and fishing. His dedication to the outdoors led him to serve as past president of the Arkansas Trappers Association, an organization that he was a founding member of, and as a board member of the National Trappers Association. He was also a member of the American Legion and a former member of the Marine Corps League. Don was a founding member of the Eastern Crawford County Brothers-in-law Hunting Association. Among his greatest joys was taking his grandchildren fishing and sharing with them his love of nature.

He was born on October 15, 1941, in Kilgore, Texas, to the late Norman Spears and Marjorie (Elliott) Wilcox. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Norma Faye Mojica, Mary Ann Barker, and John Wesley Wilcox.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Janice (Callahan) Wilcox of the home; his children, Dr. Donald Spears Wilcox, Jr. and wife Robin of Rosebud, AR, Teri Jean Johnson and husband Christopher of Goodman, MO, and Joseph Lee Wilcox and wife Jessica of Mulberry, AR; his grandchildren, Grant Spears Wilcox, Alicen James, Auburn Stewart, Elijah Johnson, Benjamin Wilcox, Lillian Johnson, Noah Johnson, and Levi Wilcox; great-grandchildren, Ivy River Stewart and soon-to-arrive Wyatt Austin James; and his sister, Glenda Nell Pannell.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Mulberry Church of Christ, with burial to follow at Fort Smith National Cemetery with full military honors. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 AM, one hour prior to the service, at Mulberry Church of Christ. Jim Boatright and Randy Rankin will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Grant Wilcox, Elijah Johnson, Benjamin Wilcox, Levi Wilcox, Noah Johnson, Nathan Wilcox, J.C. James, and Timothy Stewart. Honorary pallbearers will be Issac (Dickie) Pannell, Dub Shankle, Wayne Whitlock, Frederick Smither, Kenneth Smither, Wesley Wilcox, and Brad Callahan.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. (Preferred donation type.)

Arrangements are under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Alma.