James Robert Wilson

James Robert Wilson “Jim” was a 25-year resident of Moreno Valley, CA and entered into eternal life on October 13, 2019 at the age of 69. He was the son and second child of Juan and Elvira Wilson born in Fresnillo, Mexico after a couple generations of American grandfathers had done mine engineering there. The family later moved to Juarez, Mexico and then El Paso, Texas where he attended elementary school and the family grew so that he had five sisters. His Father accepted a job with Northrup which potentiated a move to Thousand Oaks (T.O.), CA (Conejo Valley) of which he had fond memories and where Jungleland was flourishing. Jim eventually lost his southern accent and raved about his 8th grade at Conejo School of which he later attended a 135th reunion in 2013.

High school at T.O.H.S. was the start of his sports journey which lasted his lifetime: lettering in football and many cross country firsts, basketball with the Mormons even though he was Catholic, racquet ball leading to Northern European champion and eventually tennis competition. Jim's favorite summer job was working for the City of T.O. clearing paths to a waterfall in the famous Wildwood Park where Gunsmoke and many Westerns were filmed. He met his future wife Karen in Spanish his Senior year with their first date using his restored ‘55 Chevy rocking to 60’s tunes on his 4-track tape deck.

Jim pursued an Associate’s degree in Business at Moorpark Jr. College while working for a landscaper. He followed Karen to Northern California to continue college at Cal State Univ Sacramento. They returned to T.O. for a country Catholic retreat wedding in 1974. Jim worked for Abbott Labs for a short time but decided to follow his dream by entering the US Air Force with his first station being Travis AFB, CA. He started in Finance and after ROTC moved onto being a Logistics/War Readiness Officer. Karen joined also to guarantee nursing jobs during moves. Travels together were to Warner Robins AFB, GA, Hahn AFB Germany and back to Travis AFB. He felt lucky to be in California for 10 years to visit family and friends in Southern California. Jim soloed a remote 1-year assignment to Thule AFB Greenland (North Pole) which is an experience he never stopped talking about. During the ‘90’s Air Force draw down Jim left active duty and entered an Air Force program as an Immobilization Augmentee serving at McClellan AFB, CA and Hill AFB, UT. Jim became a Social Security Administration Claims Rep working in Palm Springs for 17 years before retiring in 2010. That year made 34 years in the Air Force reaching maximum age Jim retired prior to pinning on Colonel for which he was selected. Jim and Karen had two sons Jared and Justin who were born at Travis AFB, CA. He was passionate about the sports they chose assisting with baseball, bowling, karate, rollerblading and bringing tennis back to Moreno Valley High Schools.

Jim continued with strong work ethics on retirement by immediately painting the inside of the house and redesigning the backyard. Then he moved on to cooking being influenced by the Food Chanel and researching family genealogy on Ancestry. He loved attending any organized high school reunion. All along he was doing his favorite hobby of restoring his 1970 Mach 1 Mustang and put his touch on at least 10 mustangs over time. He had to thank his Dad for that talent.

Jim will be forever lovingly remembered for his kind and generous nature and will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation on behalf of Jim to The American Cancer Society.