Charles Merrill Wilcox

Charles Merrill Wilcox, 89, of Rigby, Idaho, passed away May 29, 2026, at Gables of Idaho Falls.

He was born September 3, 1936, in Rigby, Idaho, to Louis Allan Wilcox and Evron Dansie Wilcox. He was raised and educated in Rigby, graduating from Rigby High School. While attending college, he also worked for Westlake Cattlemen’s Association at Henrys Lake Idaho. He later attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture with an emphasis in Animal Husbandry.

Charles married Barbara Robison, on October 25, 1963, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple, on August 26, 1971. He worked for IDA Best, Inc., selling livestock feed. He later began a long career at the INEL as a radionuclide analyst, starting in July 1962 and retiring in January 1999.

He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings throughout his life.

Charles enjoyed golfing, team roping—where he earned a championship belt buckle—and cowboying. He also loved farming and raising livestock and horses. He and his wife, Barbara, enjoyed traveling together to national parks and throughout the country. After retirement he chased cows for Louis Merrill and Dave Zweifel in the Dubois area.

Charles is survived by his daughter Leslie (Jim) Mayer of Boise, Idaho, two sons, Zane (Jennifer) Wilcox, of Rigby, Idaho, John (Jeannette) Wilcox, of Kamiah, Idaho, a brother Louis LaMar “Lum” (Mary Ann) Wilcox, of League City, Texas, eight grandchildren, Rachael, Zachary and Rebecca Mayer, Austin, Dillon, Chynna, Sydney and Wyatt Wilcox and one great grandchild, Owen Wyatt Karel.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara, and sister Lola “Jean” Arnold.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at the Sutton Cemetery, 864 E 7156 S, Rexburg, Idaho. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Eckersell Funeral Home, 101 West Main Street Rigby ID.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the caretakers at Gables of Idaho Falls, and Mission Home Health and Hospice, for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Champs Heart, in Ammon Idaho.