James Bascom Wilkinson

Lt Col. James Bascom Wilkinson, ( USMC, ret ) 87, passed away peacefully at home in Dallas, Texas of complications from Congestive Heart Failure on December 1, 2017.

Born in Vicksburg, Mississippi on July 28, 1930 to Fay and John Wilkinson, he joined the Marine Corps at 18, later graduating from the University of Alabama while in the service. Serving in the Vietnam War as an Infantry Battalion Commander during 1967-68, he survived the deadly Khe Sanh siege and was later featured in the oral history book, “Khe Sanh: Siege in the Clouds”, and in David Douglas Duncan’s book, “War Without Heroes.” He was honored with the Legion of Merit with Combat V for his distinguished services while in combat with the enemy in Khe Sanh.

After retiring at 39 as a Lt. Colonel and moving to Hilton Head Island, he became a Financial Consultant in the Savannah offices of Merrill Lynch. He subsequently held Merrill Lynch management positions in Dallas, Charleston and Memphis where he served on the Memphis Symphony Board, the Theater Board, as President of the Arts Appreciation Council and Junior Warden of the Calvary Episcopal Church. After retiring in 1995, he and his wife Nancy lived first on Hilton Head Island, where he served as a board member and driver for Meals on Wheels, before settling for many years in Cashiers, North Carolina, where he served a term of President of the Sheep Laurel Homeowners Association and was a member of the vestry for the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Preceded in death by his son in-law Chip Thompson. He is survived by his wife Nancy, his daughters Sabra Thompson and Shannon Wilkinson , Catherine McCarthy and husband Chuck, son , Dwight Emanuelson, Jr and wife Claire and 6 grandchildren; James Marion, Ashley Shannon and Sabra Elizabeth Thompson, Hillis Emanuelson and wife Lindsey, James Emanuelson , and Charles K McCarthy .

Hillis Emanuelson and his wife Lindsey , James Emanuelson, Charles K NcCarthy , Jr , He was an avid reader and writer for The Marine Corp Gazette and The Leatherneck He had a special appreciation for the Marine Corps and remained in close touch with his many Vietnam troops long after the war ended. “My decision to join the Marine Corps was a very wise move by a young Mississippi lad,” he once commented, recalling that after going through new recruit training in 1948 his monthly income was approximately $96.00.

A special thanks to the phenomenal staff at The Tradition Assisted Living as well as Denise Garcia , EJ and Linda of All Star Hospice .

The family would also like to thank Belinda Leffall who cared for Jim over the last year with love and compassion.

A Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 am December 8, 2017 at The Church of the Incarnation 3966 McKinney Ave, Dallas . TX

Memorials may be made to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall .