Chuck Wilcox

“Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,

It seems to me most strange that men should fear,

Seeing that death, a necessary end,

Will come when it will come."

Julius Caesar, II.ii

Obituary

Chuck Wilcox was born at Ft. Warren Air Force Base February 9, 1943, and died on his farm in Costa Rica May 13, 2026 at age 83. Chuck grew up in Saratoga, Wyoming, and he graduated from the University of Wyoming where he acted in his first Shakespeare play, Macbeth. His career as an actor centered around the Colorado Shakespeare Festival in Boulder Colorado. He received an M.A. degree in Theatre from the University of Colorado at Boulder. His thesis was on Stage Weaponry. He was a founder of two touring theatres that for decades toured schools in Colorado (Colorado Caravan) and Wyoming (Overland Stage Company). After a stroke at the age of 40, he began a 40-year career impersonating William Shakespeare. For fifteen years Chuck also was a respected teacher of Shakespeare and drama K-12 at both St. John’s and St. Mary’s Academy. He was honored to receive a plaque of his name at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.

He married Lola Wilcox in Laramie, Wyoming 60 years ago.

They were both members of the United Campus Christian Fellowship, and they sang together in many experimental worship services throughout Wyoming. Charles and Lola sang in the choir at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Denver for over twenty years. They continued attending Sunday church and Wednesday Morning Prayer services by Zoom while in Costa Rica. Music was always an important part of Chuck’s life; he played guitar, piano, recorder, and tuba. After his stroke he taught himself to play various pipes one-handed. He loved to play the recorder and tabor pipe on the sunset facing porch for the last five years.

Lola survives him, as do both sons, Ian Alan and Deegan Andrew, their wives Loree and Tiffany, and five grandchildren: William, Merritt, Arianna, Willow, and Gabriel. Two brothers, Frank and Leonard Francis, met with him by Zoom weekly during the last three years of his life. When asked which of many honors made him most proud, he chose his third Dan degree in Kendo martial arts. He is honored by family, co-actors, and friends.

His website lists his many theatre roles, and other important aspects of his life such as haiku, riddles and Fearless Creativity. https://chuckwilcoxtheatre.com

Final Resting Place

Chuck’s ashes will be in Costa Rica, and his grave in Saratoga will have mementos and letters from those who loved him.

Gallery

Memory wall

July 3, 2026

This photo was taken more than 20 years ago in Costa Rica, the first time Chuck (aka Carlos) saw what would become his second home. At the time, it was accessible only by horseback. He fell in love with the land instantly and said he could hear its song. He named it Las Canciones, which translates to "The Songs"—a name that perfectly captured the spirit, beauty, and music he found there.

TIFFANY REFFNER

Service

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