Businessman Allen C. Wilcox Jr., 84

By Kalani WIlhelm
Advertiser Staff Writer

Allen C. Wilcox Jr. always kept the best interests of the community in mind.

The former CEO of Alexander & Baldwin passed away on Aug. 7 at Kona Community Hospital on the Big Island. He was 84.

Wilcox, who was born in Lihu'e, Kaua'i on Nov. 22, 1918, held the position as CEO at A&B for six years. He also worked at Castle & Cook's Dole Pineapple company and Matson Navigation.

Barbara Wilcox said her husband wanted to do what he could to make the world and the community a better place. Working with hospitals, animal groups and child-abuse organizations were especially close to his heart, she said.

"People trusted him because he always stood up and worked very hard for them," she said. "He always said that if we don't all get behind the wheel and make the good things happen, we are going to pay the price."

The couple was just seven months away from celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

Upon retirement, Wilcox became an active member in the Kona community with memberships in the West Hawai'i Humane Society, Family Support Services of West Hawai'i, Kona Outdoor Circle, Kona Community Hospital Foundation, West Hawai'i Crime Stoppers and Hawai'i Preparatory Academy Board of Governors, among other community groups.

He was educated in California. A veteran of World War II, Wilcox served as a trustee of The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu, chairman of the Honolulu Police Commission and as director of the Hawaiian Humane Society.

Funeral services will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Wilcox Residence, Fairview, Napo'opo'o, South Kona. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Kona Community Hospital Foundation.

Wilcox is survived by wife Barbara; sons Allen of Waimea, and Steven of Halualoa; daughter Anne of Napo'opo'o; sister Florence Wainner of Denver; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.