Favorite professor, "The Grammar Hammer," newspaper faculty advisor, mentor, college pastor, colleague, Dad, Pop, husband, brother, son and servant are the roles James Galen Jim Wilcox had during life, but none can fully describe the positive and joyful influence he had on so many. Not many people whistle their way through life, hoot and laugh louder than everyone else, but Jim was known for both and so much more.Jim was born Sept. 19, 1952 to Galen and Gwen Crawford Wilcox and grew up in San Jose, California where he graduated from high school. He and his twin brother, John, moved to Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho where Jim earned a BA in English. He began a Master of Divinity at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, but said he quit "because he didnt own enough polyester." He earned an MA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and also met the love of his life, Linda Patterson, there. He could remember the anniversary of every important event in their relationship; the first time they held hands, their first kiss, and their first "I love you." He remembered and he always brought a gift. The most important date was November 26, 1977 when they married in the middle of an ice storm that stranded guests who had come to Kansas City from across the country. In 1979, Jim and Linda moved to Oklahoma, and Jim began his 36-year career as an English and journalism professor at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma.Jim and Linda served as college pastors at Western Oaks Church of the Nazarene and Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene. He was the faculty sponsor of the SNU chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, and the faculty advisor for 30 years of "The [Reveille] Echo" student newspaper. He was nominated many times for and received the SNU Excellence in Teaching Award and the Faculty Performance Award, recognized by students and his faculty colleagues.His students and college group members loved him for the joy he showed in life and for the high standards he set for them. He was more than a teacher; he was a friend, confidant, substitute dad and could always be counted on for wise insight and outrageous, irreverent behavior. He was beloved because he never forgot to have fun while living and encouraged the people he knew to take risks in life and to reach for their goals. He showed others what serving Jesus meant. He taught students and colleagues to see the people others missed, to be kind to the poor, to give to those in need and to live life to the fullest and always, loudly.Jim started laughing up in heaven on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 and leaves behind his wife, Linda to whom he was married for 38 years; two sons, Ben and wife Jennifer Wilcox, Oklahoma City; and Josh and wife Trisha Wilcox, Portland, Oregon; his wonderful grandchildren, Ethan, Ivy and Evan Wilcox; Addison, Carter and Kellen Tabor; his parents, Galen and Gwen Wilcox of Santa Cruz, California; his twin brother, John and wife Debi Wilcox, Santa Cruz, California; his sister, Judi and husband Roger Freels, Denver, Colorado; Lindas sister, Brenda and husband Gary Godbey, Mount Hope, West Virginia; and Lindas brother, Roger and wife Becky Patterson, Lewisburg, West Virginia; along with a host of nieces and nephews. A celebration of Jims life will be held Saturday, May 28 at 2 p.m. at Mayflower Congregational Church, with arrangements by Mercer Adams. The family requests that donations in Jims honor be made to 363 at Mayflower, where his legacy can continue as friend to the poor. To view the Memorial Service go to http://webcasts.lifetributes.com/704790 Memorial Service Saturday, May 28, 2016 02:00 PM Mayflower Congregational Church 3901 N. W. 63rd Oklahoma City, OK 73116