CEDAR — Martin Howard Wilcox, 73, of Cedar, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Maple Valley Nursing Home in Maple City surrounded by family following dementia and a stroke in March of 2023.

Martin was born on June 28, 1951, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Frank and Elaine (Watson) Wilcox.

On September 7, 1973, in Detroit, he married the love of his life, Lorraine Ann Cortes, who survives him.

Martin pursued his education at Monteith College and Wayne State University, leading to a diverse and impactful career. From 1974 to 1979, he worked as a supervisor of housekeeping at the Henry Ford Hospital. Martin and Lorraine moved to Northern Michigan in 1979, where he continued his career as a supervisor of housekeeping at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. He worked for many years doing landscaping for various companies along with other different jobs over the years to support his family. His sense of adventure took him overseas, where he worked as a contractor in Iraq and then as a U.S. Consulate worker in China for two years.

In addition to his work, Martin was a proud member of the NRA and held strong beliefs about protecting the rights and freedoms he cherished. He valued family and his time spent with loved ones.

Martin is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Lori; his children, Stacey Wilcox and Trevor Wilcox; his sisters, Cynthia Wilcox Skewes and Elizabeth Wilcox; his brothersin- law, Dennis (Cindy) Cortes, Gary (Nyoman) Cortes, and Craig ( Jean) Cortes; and his beloved grandchildren, Charley Niess and Paul “Spike” Wilcox along with a niece and multiple nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant son, Tarl Wilcox.

A special thank you to all that came to visit him while at Maple Valley especially his cousin Tom. Thank you to all of the staff at Maple Valley along with Hospice of Northern Michigan that entertained and put up with Martin and his horrible “Dad Jokes” while caring for him.

Memorial contributions in Martin’s honor may be directed to Maple Valley Nursing Home, 1086 West Burdickville Rd, Maple City, MI 49664.

A celebration of Martin’s life will be announced in the Spring of 2025.

Please share condolences with the family at www.martinson.info Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Leelanau.