Ron Wilcox hated to be late. In his 80 years on this Earth, he insisted on being on time, and preferred to be early. So it is fitting that just before Easter services started around the country on April 4, 2021, he entered into the joy of God's presence. Ron was born March 15, 1941, the eldest child of Margelene and Odis Wilcox. He was reared on the farm, cropping tobacco and picking cotton from the time he was a small child. He made some of his first spending money collecting turpentine, and won a contest for corn production per acre when he was in high school. He met Euree Johnson when he was going door-to-door selling rat poison as a fundraiser for the Future Farmers of America. But Ron knew early on he wasn't going to be a farmer. He persuaded the pretty brunette to marry him just before he went off to basic training for the U.S. Army. After his military service, Ron spent several years making a living doing one of the things he loved most – tinkering with and selling vehicles. From fixing tractors to selling heavy equipment, he always enjoyed getting underneath the hood and talking to people about their wheels. He learned to fly, and spent several years buzzing area fields as a crop duster. Ron said you learned to pray better when you spent some time in the air dodging power lines. When Ron was called to full-time ministry, he gave up a successful business and moved to Screven to pastor First Baptist Church. For almost a decade, he made regular trips to Jacksonville, Florida to attend Luther Rice Seminary, driving two hours each way, and sitting for hours in classrooms where he learned about the Bible in the original Greek and Hebrew. After several years and many miles, he completed his bachelor's, masters, and doctorate degrees, but he never stopped studying and enjoyed talking about the Scriptures with anyone who would listen. He spent 25 years as pastor of Trinity Baptist Church In Jesup, and ministered to his flock via Facebook livestream during the pandemic. He was a gifted musician, playing guitar in a band called the Ally Cats while in high school and tickling the ivories as a pianist for gospel quartets The Shell Family and The Journeymen. Ron enjoyed camping, and loved nothing more than to sit around a fire picking out tunes by Johnny Cash or The Gaither Band. In his 70s, he picked up the steel guitar and practiced a lot , occasionally to the consternation of his wife and children. Ron loved fishing, and is probably pestering Jesus about wetting a line right now.

He is survived by Euree, his devoted helpmate and the love of his life. He is also survived by Rhonda Wilcox McCurtain (who inherited his bossiness - otherwise known as "leadership skills") and her husband, Jim; Denise Stone (who carries his love of music) and her husband, Josh; and Leanne Wilcox (who exhibits his strong will). His legacy will be carried forward by his grandchildren, Angel Watts, Mary Grace Watts, Rebekah Stone, and Caleb Stone. For the last 15 years, Teresa Robinson treated him like a father, and he loved her like a daughter. Ron's faith lives on in the lives of his siblings, Odilene Weeks and her husband, Donnie; Maxwell Wilcox and his wife, Alice; Gail Mason and her husband, Herbert; and Kathy Lord and her husband, Larry.

He was met in heaven by his parents; brother, Kenyon Wilcox; and grandson, Nathaniel Stone. Ron had a big heart, but a failing ticker. He lived with heart disease for more than 20 years, and was given loving and expert care by health care professionals too numerous to mention. His family is particularly grateful to the staff of Community Home Care for their gracious attention over the last several months.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Trinity Baptist Church, 2061 Spring Grove Road, Jesup, GA 31545; Gideons International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214, friendsofgideons.com; and The Voice of the Martyrs, 1815 SE Bison Road, Bartlesville, OK 74006, persecution.com.

A celebration of Ron's life will be held Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 415 E. Cherry Street, Jesup, GA 31546, with Bro. Durwood Miller, Bro. Lynn Harris, and Dr. Joshua Stone officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of Trinity Baptist Church and members of the Wayne County Ministerial Association. The family will receive friends an hour prior to services at the church. A private family burial will be held in the Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery in Hazlehurst.

Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of arrangements.