Robert Wilks

On Wednesday, June 5, 2019 Robert L. Wilks, husband and father of four children passed away at the age of 80. Robert (known to many as Bob) was born to Louie Wilks and Lucile (Heiner) Wilks on July 6, 1938 in Tekoa, Washington. He graduated from Tekoa High School in 1958. He joined the U.S. Air Force soon after graduating high school. In August 1963 he married Mary Louise (Farrington). Together they raised four children, three sons; Douglas, Donald, Ronald and one daughter, Deborah. Robert was sent to Thailand during the Vietnam War, spending much of his time fixing many of the jet fighter aircraft that were used in the war. He did take many photographs of some temples and other unique buildings in Thailand when he had the opportunity. He recorded his voice onto several reel to reel tapes and sent those tapes and letters home to his wife and young children. He included at times in his letters home a hand drawn game of Battleship he played with his oldest son, Douglas. When the war ended he remained in the Air Force during the height of the Cold War moving several times to bases in the United States until his retirement in 1980, when he moved to Plains, Montana. He enjoyed fishing, listening to country music, watching some sports on television, target practice with rifles, and playing pool. He was an active member of the Plains VFW Post #3596 in Plains, Montana.

Bob was preceded in death by his father Louie, and his mother Lucile, and an infant daughter, Theresa. He is survived by his wife Mary Louise (Farrington), his four children; Douglas (Plains, MT), Ronald (Polson, MT), Donald (Columbus, GA), and Deborah (Yuma, AZ), his three sisters; Wanda Burrell (Spokane, WA), Shirley Nichols (Spokane, WA), and Darlene Gardner (Oakesdale, WA). Many extended families live in Washington and many other states.

A military funeral service will be held on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Plains Cemetery in Plains, Montana. Flowers, cards, and donations may be sent to either 7774 MT Highway 200, Plains, MT or PO Box 1787, Plains, MT 59859.

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