Al Wilcox, Founder of Wilcox Construction in Edmonds, Dies

A few years ago, Bob Wilcox was flipping through his father’s flight log from his service in World War II. He gleaned some compelling insight, but was surprised to discover no mention of a terrifying mission when Al Wilcox's plane burst into flames and almost killed him.

“That’s the way they were back then,” Wilcox said. “They had a job to do. They were very unassuming.”

Al Wilcox—who returned from the war and would go on to create Wilcox Construction in Edmonds—died on July 13 at age 90.

“He was a great dad,” Bob Wilcox recalled on Sunday. “A great husband. A great businessman. He set the bar high for my sister and I and gave us some pretty big shoes to fill.”

Al Wilcox founded on Fifth Avenue South in 1963, heading the company until his retirement in 1989. His son then took over the business with Jim Lessard. Bob Wilcox sold the company one-and-a-half years ago, although the Wilcox name remains with the long-established and successful company.

Al Wilcox was born March 8, 1921, in Minot, ND, and lived most of his life in the Edmonds area as his family moved to Alderwood Manor in 1924. He graduated from Edmonds High School in 1939 and was raised at what is now called Wilcox Park in Lynnwood. Three years ago, he donated funds to construct a picnic shelter at the park, which was named for the family.

A star baseball player in high school, Wilcox was catcher and captain of the school baseball team that won the Snohomish County championship in 1939.

After high school, Wilcox worked as a carpenter before joining the Marine Corps in 1943. He became a fighter pilot and flew F4U Corsairs with the "Flying Devildogs" in the Philippines, seeing action from Bougainville to Peleliu.

It was during an early morning mission that Wilcox’s Corsair caught ground fire while flying at tree-top level, engulfing his cockpit in flames. Opening the canopy in an attempt to bail out, Wilcox discovered he was much too low. Luckily, the prop blast blew out most of the fire, and he extinguished the rest with his canteen.

Although burned in the fire, Wilcox flew his crippled aircraft back to base.

Wilcox was honored for his war service with the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart.

After the war, Wilcox met his wife of 64 years, Irene. They had two children, Bob and Linda (Sedgley).

Wilcox was an avid golfer and a member of Inglewood Golf Club for 48 years. He was an active member of the community and was involved in the YMCA and Kiwanis Club.

He is survived by his wife Irene, sister Lorraine Ross, daughter Linda Sedgley (Rick), son Bob (Debbie), and grandchildren Adam Sedgley (Kristi), Carly Colony (John), Laura Ambrey (Matt), Andrew and Matthew.

Bob Wilcox is on the Edmonds City Council.

A celebration of Al Wilcox’s life will be held July 23 at 2 p.m. at , 828 Caspers St., Edmonds. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Red Cross.

Memories may be shared through in Edmonds, where remembrances can be left on its website.