John McIvor Willcox Jr. ’61

John, known to us as “Mac,” died May 15, 2019, at his home in Marshall, Va., after a two-year struggle with emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis.

Born in Darlington, S.C., John came to us from St. John’s High School in Darlington, where he was editor for the newspaper, ran track, and was class valedictorian. At Princeton he majored in history and wrote his thesis on “The Feudality of Early Tudor England.” He was a member of Whig-Clio and took his meals at Campus Club. John roomed with Jack Daniels, Eric Doten, and Skip Kestler, and it was Jack who notified us of his death. Over the years he stayed in touch with Jack and Bill Kincade.

After Princeton John earned a master’s degree in history from Harvard, followed by a law degree at Yale. He passed the Washington, D.C., bar exam on the first try but never practiced. His 26-year career with the U.S. government included postings in Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa. John retired in 1993, and a few years later he and his wife settled in Fauquier County, Va.

He is survived by his wife, Anne M. Clagett; and several cousins from South Carolina.