Pastor Kevin Wilcox
Pastor Kevin Shade Wilcox, 56, entered Heaven on Nov. 13, 2021, following a brave two-year battle with brain cancer. Kevin passed peacefully with his loving wife by his side.
On July 23, 1965, Kevin was born in Tiffin, the older of two sons of Sally (McCoy) Wilcox and the late Charles Wilcox. He graduated from Tiffin Columbian High School in 1983. He entered the U.S. Navy follow graduation, serving until 1988.
Following his honorable discharge, Kevin returned home to Ohio, eventually making his home in Alger and working at the Wilson Sporting Goods Company in Ada. While making footballs there, he fell for his co-worker, Kathy Meeker. They began dating in 1996. After some persistence on his part, they were married on Oct. 23, 1999. Together they shared 22 blissful years of marriage.
After Wilson’s, Kevin worked as a plumber/HVAC technician for many years before entering the ministry. He worked as the director of men’s ministry at the Lima Rescue Mission. This is where Kevin got the spark to become a pastor. He also had been a member of the Allentown United Methodist Church in Lima.
In 2012, Kevin entered the ministry when he was appointed to his first church, The Ohio City United Methodist Church. Kevin enjoyed serving in Ohio City for 6 1/2 years. In 2019, he was appointed to the Grace and Memorial United Methodist Churches in Carey, where he was so excited to serve as their pastor. He also joined Wyandot Cares and the Kiwanis Club of Carey.
First and foremost, Kevin was a loyal servant to God. He lived to share the love of Jesus wherever he went. Kevin had a heart for people and spent many hours talking to, comforting and ministering to those who crossed his path. Kevin also enjoyed serving with the Emmaus and Chrysalis communities.
Growing up, Kevin and his family often returned to his father’s hometown of Whitesburg, Ky., and for the rest of his life his heart was always in Kentucky. He also was a die-hard Kentucky Wildcats basketball fan.
Kevin’s love for his family and friends knew no bounds. He will be really missed by all who knew him.
Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Kathy; daughter, Renee Wilcox; son and daughter-in-law, Joshua and Kristin Wilcox; grandson, Justin Hernandez; mother and step-father, Sally (Wilcox) and Tom Gabel; brother, Mark Wilcox; nieces and nephews, Cassie Hook, Seth Wilcox and Tyler, Logan and Hannah Meeker; and he was also fortunate to have three loving “bonus” grandchildren, Payten, Jamee and Jayde Lyle.
He was so very proud of Joshua, who followed in his footsteps and serves in the U.S. Navy.
Kevin was preceded in death by his father, Charles Wilcox.
A celebration of life for Kevin will be held Saturday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in Carey, with the Rev. Loran Miracle officiating. The family will receive family and friends two hours prior to the service, noon-2 p.m., at the church. For those unable to attend his service, the service will be livestreamed on the church’s facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CareyGraceUMC).
A memorial service will follow in the spring in Lima, once his son has completed his deployment and where military honors will be observed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses.
Stombaugh-Batton Funeral Home is serving his family. Condolences may be expressed at www.StombaughBatton.com.
