Obituary for James Wilson

Ponca City Now - February 3, 2017 4:15 pm

James Stanley Wilson

(March 25, 1940 – February 2, 2017)

James Stanley “Jim” Wilson of Deer Creek, Oklahoma, passed away Thursday evening, February 2, 2017, at his home at the age of 76 years.

Jim was born on March 25, 1940, in Covina, California, to Wayne Andrew and Marilee Fern (Martin) Wilson. In 1944 his family returned to Deer Creek where he attended school. While at Deer Creek High School Jim lettered in track, basketball, football, and baseball all 4 years. After graduating in 1958 he attended Oklahoma State University for a year and then gave into the call of California, briefly working for TransWorld Airlines before returning to Oklahoma. Moving to California resurfaced in 1966 when he relocated to Riverside with his young family to work for Rohr Aircraft. In 1970 his father purchased Wilkins Propane in Blackwell renaming it Wilson Equipment Co. and enticing Jim to move once again from California back to Oklahoma. Jim would later become the sole proprietor of the Blackwell branch of the company, owning and operating it for 45 years until he sold it to his step-son, Derrick Fleming in 2016. Jim was known to friends and family for his dry humor and quick wit. He liked to travel to Colorado, and pursue his fondness for country music with annual trips to Branson Missouri with his wife Carolyn. In the late ’70 and early ‘80s with his older brother Martin and some friends, Jim became part owner in a hot air balloon. Jim was a member of the Blackwell Elks, and served as an officer in the Oklahoma Propane Association.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Wilson of Deer Creek; three daughters, Kim Wilson of Dallas, Texas, Whitney Turner of McKinney, Texas, and Caroline Gallaway of Oklahoma City; a son, Jay Wilson of Morris, Oklahoma, a step-son, Derrick Fleming of Blackwell; a brother, Martin Wilson of Round Rock, Texas; five grandchildren, Landon, Ashlee and Kimberlee Fleming, Max Gallaway, and Jack Turner; and a great grandchild, Keslee Fleming.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A graveside service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Monday, February 6th in the Blackwell Cemetery with Rev. Tuney Ropp of McLoud, Oklahoma, officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Honorary casketbearers will be David Denton, David Wilson, Stan Wilson, Rodney Newton, Mitchell Newton, Eddie Ferda and Bob Jordan.

His family requests in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.