Frederick Wilcoxson

Reverend Frederick Dean Wilcoxson, BCC (Papa Fred).

Born in Hominy, OK, October 8, 1947 on the Osage Indian Reservation. Fred cherished his Indian heritage and was inducted into the Manataka Indian Council as Spirit Bear.

If you knew Fred, you knew he loved his wife and children. He cherished those that called him friend or Papa Fred and he served God daily by serving others.

Fred is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Wilcoxson, his sister, Roberta Pletsch and his six children and their families, Robert (Belinda) Wilcoxson and Jesse, Michael-Jon (Crystal) Wilcoxson and Bryce, John (Jennifer) Wilcoxson and Troy and Heather, Christine (Oscar) Najera and Julia, Amaya, Evangeline, Soham and Oscar Jr., William (Angie) Ryan and Oliver, Kelly (Vincent) Dottore and Gianna and Nikolas; three great grandchildren, Landon, Athena and Logan.

Fred served in the Coast Guard D8 Office Staff and was awarded the National Defense Medal, serving in two catastrophic hurricanes in Louisiana and Mississippi.

He joined the Orlando Police Department after leaving the military and served for 27 years. He was Master Police Officer serving on the Chief's staff in Planning and Research. He retired and continued to serve in the Reserves for a total of 27 years. He returned after being ordained an Episcopal Priest to serve with the Chaplain Squad for another 10 years. He helped start a chapter of Cops for Christ for the local police agencies.

Walt Disney World hired Fred in Security and quickly discovered his talents in creating programs and researching liabilities. Disney employees knew they could talk to Fred about anything and he became known as the minister to turn to in times of trouble. Fred was asked to help create a Trauma Response Program for Area Managers of the company, a first for Disney.

Fred and Jo retired to Tennessee in 2012. Fred continued his ministries when the Polk County Fire and Rescue asked he and Jo to become the Department Chaplains. He willingly served almost 10 years before his health kept him away. He was awarded a Life Membership Award and a Chief's award during his service.

Fred's final resting place will be with his parents at the reservation. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 31st at 10 am at St. Luke Episcopal Church, 320 Broad St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311; www.stlukescleveland.org/live

Services for Winter Garden, FL will be held September 28, 2024, 10 am at the Church of the Messiah Episcopal, 241 N Main St, Winter Garden, FL 34787.