Ronald Bernard Wilcox

Ronald B. Wilcox, 89, of Overland Park, KS passed away on July 16, 2026. Ron was born on September 8, 1936 in Oakley, KS to Eldridge and Eleanor Wilcox. The second of four boys, Ron grew up in Salina, KS with his brothers Don, Dan, and Gary. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1954 and went on to serve four years in the Kansas Army Reserves in the late 1950s.

Ron married the love of his life, Linda Lee Hamm, on June 20, 1959. They remained married for 67 years until his death and had three children together, Scott, Missy, and JR.

A true Midwesterner, Ron lived his entire life in Kansas and Nebraska. In 1966, he entered the home furnishing industry with William Volker & Company, moving to Grand Island, NE then Omaha, NE before settling in Lenexa, KS. Ron was a natural-born salesman and ended his successful career with Interface Flooring Systems, where he worked from 1982 until his retirement in 2000.

Ron was a passionate woodworker and spent much of his retirement creating handmade toys that he donated to local charitable organizations like Safehome abuse shelter in Overland Park, KS and Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Kansas City, MO, where he was a regular volunteer. He also donated his carpentry skills to Missys’ Boutique at The University of Kansas Cancer Center in Westwood, KS, an accredited cancer appearance center named in honor of his daughter Missy Wilcox O’Neill. Ron loved working with his hands and treasured time spent crafting wooden art pieces, furniture, and other creations with his grandchildren in his shop.

In his final years, Ron remained steadfastly committed to his family, serving as a caregiver, companion, and stalwart pillar in the face of numerous medical complications. A die-hard Kansas Jayhawk fan, Ron harbored a love of all sports but was an especially avid fan of the Chiefs, Royals, golf, and KU basketball. His favorite way to end a day was enjoying an ice-cold bottle of beer (or two) on the back deck surrounded by his family, friends, and neighbors.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Eldridge Ellsworth and Eleanor G. (Ostmeyer) Wilcox – Salina, KS and daughter, Ann Elizabeth “Missy” (Wilcox) O’Neill – Leawood, KS. He is survived by his wife, Linda (Hamm) Wilcox – Overland Park, KS; his brothers Donald (Joanne) Wilcox – Lawrence, KS, Daniel Wilcox – Jackson, TN, and Gary (Marcia) Wilcox – Scottsdale, AZ; his children Scott David (Diana) Wilcox – Shawnee, KS and John Ronald “JR” Wilcox – Overland Park, Kansas; and his grandchildren Halle O'Neill – Santa Monica, CA, Jessica Wilcox – Washington, DC, Kyle O'Neill – Kansas City, MO, Brooke (Jacob) Campbell – Kansas City, MO, Dean Wilcox – Shawnee, KS, Carson Wilcox – Overland Park, KS, Cameron Wilcox – Overland Park, KS, and Carter O'Neill – Mission, KS.

Ron’s Celebration of Life will take place on a later date to be announced.