J.H. was born on March 3, 1937 in the small community of Agitite,Texas to Elven and Myrtie Duffie Wilkerson. He graduated from Quanah High School in 1955 and continued his education at Texas Tech University where he graduated in 1960 with a B.S. in Parks Administration. He married Faye Jabin on February 25, 1961. They built a beautiful life together with their three children and were married for 31 years until her passing in 1992.
J.H. was a hard worker. He began his career in city planning for San Antonio and Odessa. He worked various other jobs after these, but the one he enjoyed most, was as a housing compliance inspector for the V.A. and F.H.A. He was also one of the charter members of Stone Oak Presbyterian Church.
It’s rare for a man to have two amazing women in his lifetime but J.H. was given this blessing. In 1993, at a church baseball league, he met Cathy Menn. They struck up an instant friendship which quickly developed into something more and they married on January 15, 1994. Cathy’s two children were added to the family that has continued to grow in love with the addition of in-laws, more grandchildren and great grandchildren. Our parents were completely devoted to each other and enjoyed many activities together; they even took up square dancing. They loved traveling and were able to visit many places across this country. Their relationship was a romance for the ages, our blended family is blessed by the example they lived out every day in their Christian faith and love, compassion, and adoration for each other. Those blessings are now ours to pass on for generations to come. His deepest and most cherished love was for his God and his family. God was his strength and he often quoted Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
J.H. enjoyed hunting and fishing and for several years owned a small farm outside of Devine, Texas. He grew watermelon, had a few cattle and even started an apple orchard. After he and Cathy married, she enjoyed going with him to sell apples at the Farmer’s Market. The grandkids have special memories of their Pawpaw and all the time that he spent with them feeding cows, catching monster catfish, and going for rides on his tractor. They loved his stories and hugs and gained much wisdom from him.
He was from a generation that valued hard work and took pride in what he did. He never met a stranger and made everyone feel welcome. Children were always drawn to him. He gave THE BEST hugs, and his smile was contagious and instantly made you feel better. He had a sense of humor and loved to tell jokes. He will be remembered for his unending devotion as a husband and love for his kids and grandkids. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him, but we do not grieve as those who have no hope, we know that we will see him again one day when we join him in Heaven.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Cathy, of 28 years, 5 children, Mona (Mike) Tumlinson, Cody Wilkerson, Brock (Sarah) Wilkerson, Libby (Brian) Thoma, Craig (Fabiola) Menn, 17 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Brother Rayford (Marge) Wilkerson, Sister in law Kathy (Hank) Butcher, Brother in law David (Debra) Ward and numerous nephews and nieces.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00am, Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at Stone Oak Presbyterian Church in San Antonio. Burial to follow at Sunset Funeral home. Visitation will be held on Tuesday May,24 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Sunset Funeral Home 1701 Austin Highway.
Online service at (20+) Stone Oak Cumberland Presbyterian Church | Facebook
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Stone Oak Church (20024 Crescent Oaks San Antonio, Texas 78258), American Heart Association, Diabetes Association, or American Lung Association.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5