Gordon’s family considers him a national treasure, dearly loved. He’s survived by his daughter Katherine (Kay) Ann Barecky, his son Randall Lee Wilkinson, grandchildren Tammy Kress, Jennifer Plant, Cristy Dickerson and Daniel Wilkinson and great grandchildren Andrew, Chris and Kelsi Hugonnett, Brandon and Dylan Plant, and Lidia, Bethany and Josiah Smestad. He also leaves behind a sister, Gladys Brown, sister-in-law, Daisy Wilkinson, and many nieces and nephews.
A small country church and a hard-working farm family taught Gordon and his two brothers and two sisters the values that kept him on a noble course throughout his almost 97 years on earth. At 15, he transported and sold farm produce in Virginia. After the U.S. entered World War II in 1941, he tried to join the Navy but wasn’t allowed in because farmers were needed on their farms. He tried again in 1945 and was accepted into the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division. His 30-year military career began with tedious training preparing for the imminent land invasion of Japan. When the war ended dramatically in August 1945, his unit was assigned to help with Japan’s cleanup and recovery.
After WWII, Gordon was assigned to a Military Intelligence unit in Raleigh, NC, where he met a petite, dark-haired nurse with a beautiful smile. Their marriage gave Gordon and Jane many happy memories, including vacations traipsing across Europe in their Volkswagen camper and happy adventures to Disney World in Florida, and across the country to the West Coast, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas and Alaska in their RV. Serving eight years in Germany provided wonderful opportunities to explore Europe, but the tense Cuban missile crisis, which almost led to nuclear war in 1962, caused Gordon’s unit to be on high alert. He nonchalantly used camping trips to prepare the family for quick evacuation if needed.
He enjoyed pilot training. Only the final test remained and he’d have been a fully qualified Army pilot, but his unit shipped out just before he could take the last test. Gordon rose through the enlisted ranks and was promoted to non-commissioned officer while in Germany. Years later in 1971, his year of service in Vietnam ushered him into his final rank as Chief Warrant Officer 4, the highest non-commissioned rank available at that time.
Very intelligent, blessed and always a great planner, Gordon never needed to work again after his retirement in 1975. He and Jane enjoyed their home in San Antonio, their garden and pool, their family and friends, and traveling. One secret to his success in work, play, business, and relationships was his quiet, humble faith in God. He placed great value on daily prayer and Bible reading. He loved Jesus with his whole heart and was a man whose life bore much good spiritual fruit (peace, joy, love, gentleness, kindness, long suffering and patience) benefitting himself and many others.
A visitation for Gordon will be held Friday, June 4, 2021 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, Texas 78148. A funeral service will occur Friday, June 4, 2021 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, Texas 78148. A burial will occur at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialuniversal.com for the Wilkinson family.
