AG Wayne Wilcox

Wayne Wilcox was born in Long Beach Naval Hospital shortly before the end of World War II.  His parents moved the family back to Idaho after the father was released from the Marine Corps and there Wayne grew up in Bear Lake Valley.  By age 12 he and kin were back, again, in California’s warm embrace.  Graduating from Huntington Park High, Wayne did a year at LA State, 2 years in South America on a church mission, 3 years at BYU, and 4 cold years at Northwestern Dental School in Chicago.  California called sweetly again and he and wife, Dee Dee, and eventually 7 children settled in Downey.

Wayne and family (6 married children and 9 grand-ones) are very busy in their church and with fishing.  Grandpa is trying to teach all the little ones to drive the boat and bait the hooks.  He served twice as a Bishop in the Mormon Church and speaks fluent Spanish from his missionary experiences.  Recently he was cited for 20 years of work on the Downey Draft Board (Selective Service).  He enjoys music and computer flying.

Wayne was invited into Downey’s Rotary Club in June of 1985 and caught the new wave of the Polio Eradication Project.  He’s grateful to have been part of the miraculous effort.  A Paul Harris Fellow, past Board Member, and President (2001-2002) Wayne has found his greatest fulfillment in Downey’s International project in Mulege, Baja California.  Twice a year members of the club fly down in small airplanes to do dentistry and other worthy projects for a very humble and grateful people.  Downey has formed a sister club relationship with the Mulege Rotarians and funnels resources and ideas and goodwill to their gallant colleagues.  Wayne’s motto as club president was “First-Name Friends.”  He hopes to expand that circle of familiarity to many more in the District.