Joe Carlton Wilkinson

1936-2025

Joe Carlton Wilkinson, age 88 of Apple Valley, California, died on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at his home. Joe was born on February 22, 1936, in Elm Springs, Arkansas. He was a son of Joseph Ernest and Lily May Baird Wilkinson. He was married three times, first to Gail Rawling Wilkinson, then to Carol Summers, and finally to Margaret Lynn Clark Hicks Wilkinson. Gail and Carol survive. Margaret passed away in 2017.

Joe was a graduate of Chino High School, Class of 1954. He was also a graduate of Chaffey College. Immediately after high school, Joe joined the US Navy where he served on the USS Sproston and the USS Nicholas, travelling all over the Pacific.

Joe was very proud of his career as a firefighter with the City of Ontario, California. He achieved the rank of Captain. He was a member of the Ontario Fire Department Bomb Squad and of the Muster Team. Joe retired in 1990 after over 30 years of service to the citizens of Ontario. After retirement, he worked as a driver for the US Forest Service, assisting with wildfires all over California.

Joe was the youngest of four children, and the last surviving child of his parents. He was very close with his brothers and sister. Preceding him in death were his parents, Joseph Ernest Wilkinson and Lily May Baird Wilkinson, his sister, Wilma (Galen) Maxwell, and his brothers Harold Dwight Wilkinson and Darrel Dean (Ella) Wilkinson.

In his youth, Joe was quite athletic, playing football and basketball for Chino High School. Later he played on various local baseball teams and on local bowling leagues. He loved hunting and fishing and took a number of trips to Mexico for deep sea fishing. Joe spent many happy days on the Colorado River with his friends and family. Joe loved to travel, and his trips took him across the United States several times, and on cruises with his beloved wife Margaret. Joe was a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters and Moose Lodge 1810 of Apple Valley.

Joe is survived by several children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His children include Barbara J. Wilkinson-Fletcher (Greg) of Quincy, IL; Allen Lee Wilkinson of Carthage, IL; Mary Ann Brader of Ontario, and Nancy Frafjord (Steve) of Aberdeen, WA.; In life, Joe never differentiated between his natural children and his stepchildren. He is also survived by Dale Hicks of Buckeye, AZ; DeAnna Morgan of Apple Valley; Dennis Hicks (Tammy) of AZ, and Vincent Summers (Chrissy) of Desert Hot Springs. Joe loved being a grandpa. His Grandchildren include Mary’s children Aimee Marie Swinderman (Michael) and Joseph Ramon Sanchez (Jasmine) of Carthage, IL. Nancy’s children Levi, Aaron and Nicole Frafjord of Aberdeen, WA. As well as his beloved step-grandchildren including Dale’s son Blake Hicks, DeAnna’s children Jonathan Morgan (Vanessa) of Van Nuys, and Kari Guilbault (Zachary) of Ft Irwin; Dennis’s children Kassie Elder (Justin), Kimberly Hicks of Apple Valley and Jessica Cantrell of WA and Evam and Sarah of AZ. ; Barbara Summer’s children Dustin Ference (Shanna) of Visalia and Holly Amestica (Servando) of Hemet and Vincent’s son Donavin (Shelby) of Copperas Cove, TX. He was predeceased by one stepdaughter, Barbara Summers and two grandchildren, Matthew Hicks and Nicholas Morgan, both of Apple Valley, He is survived by many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and good friends.

A celebration of life will be held for family and friends on January 22 at noon at the Apple Valley Moose Lodge, 21955 CA-18, Apple Valley, CA 92307. The family will hold a private family inurnment at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Apple Valley on Thursday, January 23. Please contact the family for time. [email protected].