Everett Brian Wilcox

Everett Brian Wilcox, age 58, died of natural causes on Christmas day, 2024. Born to Joy and Merrill Wilcox on August 4th, 1966 in Gainesville, Florida, he attended Flowers Academy Preschool, Glen Springs Elementary school, Westwood Middle School, and Gainesville High School. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Batchelor and Master of Accounting. At the time, the Department of Economics requested he change his major to Economics due to his exceptional grades; however, he declined and remained in accounting.

After passing the CPA exam, Everett received the Elijah Watt Sells Award for having one of the highest scores in the country. He went on to obtain the additional professional certifications of Auditor and Certified Fraud Examiner.

Everett was employed by and retired from the Florida State Auditor General, where he exposed fraud and waste in State academic institutions.

While he was highly intelligent, extremely proficient, and detail-oriented in his career, Everett’s true passion was Nature. He loved plants and wildlife. He once spear-

headed a neighborhood battle with the city in an effort to stop a densely populated, irresponsible development with grossly inadequate drainage. After retiring, Everett’s main passion was the Paynes Prairie Chapter of The Florida Native Plant Society. He loved the nature walks and tours, and contributed the plants for the monthly Plant Raffle. His knowledge was quite extensive, taking a particular interest in medicinal plants.

Everett was preceded in death by his grandmother Eva Buck Wilcox of Scientists’ Cliffs, Md., and father Merrill Wilcox of Gainesville, Fl. Extremely close to his father and grandmother, Everett’s interest in plants began with his father’s cultivation of palm trees. Eva, an avid gardener, had the most beautiful yard overlooking the Chesapeake Bay which Everett greatly enjoyed helping her maintain.

Everett is survived by mother Joy Wilcox and sister Nancy Wilcox of Gainesville, Fl. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Florida Native Plant Society, Paynes Prairie Chapter, PO Box 1004, Archer, Fl., 32618.