LaVon Henry Wilcox, 79, of rural Little River, Kansas, passed away April 6, 2022, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.
He was born January 29, 1943, in Byars, Oklahoma, the son of Kenneth and Eula Grider Wilcox. LaVon has resided in Little River since 1981, formerly of Hutchinson, Kansas. He graduated from Wayne High School in Wayne, Okla., with the class of 1961.
LaVon received his Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University in 1970 and later received his Master of Science degree in 1973. He was a high school science teacher first in Oklahoma and then for Hutchinson USD 308 from 1972 until his retirement in 2004.
LaVon was a farmer and cattleman, and during his retirement years he drove a school bus for Little River/Windom School District USD #444 and operated a road grader for Hayes Township in McPherson County.
LaVon was a member of the Little River First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Men, Windom Lions Club, and HARSPA. He enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and trapping, and was an antique bottle collector.
On July 3, 1976, LaVon was united in marriage with Marla Kay Summers in Hutchinson. She survives of the home.
He is also survived by his three children, Kenneth Hitch and wife, Regina, of Drumright, Okla., Andrea Willard and husband, David, of rural Little River, Kan., and Andrew Wilcox and wife, Molly, of Parker, Colo.; five granddaughters, Ashley Douglas and husband, Chris, of Grapevine, Texas, McKenzie Hall and husband, John, of Stillwater, Okla., Kristina Douglass and husband, Cory, of Drumright, Okla., and twins, Eve and Isla Wilcox of Parker, Colo.; niece, Monica Mundell of Byars, Okla.; aunt, Lorene Maupin of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and numerous cousins.
LaVon is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Shirley Slaughter.
Funeral services were held April 11, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church, Little River, with Pastor Jeff Goetzinger officiating.
Memorials may be given to the Little River First United Methodist Church or the Rice County Community Foundation in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.
