Thomas Liston Wildes

T.L. Wildes was born on August 21, 1938 in Charlton County, GA. As captain and quarterback of the Bacon County High School football team, TL was a standout graduate in the 1956 class. After graduation, TL proudly served as an active Reservist in the United States Army. In 1966 he relocated to Jacksonville to work with his older brother, Bryant, at Law Engineering. TL retired from Law Engineering in 1999 as the Senior Metals Testing Technician and a certified welding inspector.

Football was TL’s favorite season, and he never missed watching the Georgia Bulldogs take the field. He also spent many weekends coaching Little League Baseball at SYAA. He read the Florida Times every morning and watched Fox News every evening. He enjoyed keeping up with current events, but treasured the values of the past found in an old John Wayne movie or an episode of Gunsmoke. He exemplified the integrity gained from honest, hard work. He modeled consistency and loyalty. He was humble, yet proud. Simple, yet original. He had the gentlest spirit, while being the toughest man you could ever know. Thomas Liston Wildes was an honorable man of quiet strength and steadfast character.

TL was a beloved father and a devoted husband. He had a precious, unfailing love for his “Miss Rose,” his wife of 54 years. His siblings were his best friends. He honored his children by being the best man they could look up to. TL is preceded in death by his parents Liston and Claudia Wildes, his brothers, Chester, Lester, Ward, Franklin, Bryant, and Buster, and his sister, Verna Mae. He is survived by his wife: Rosemarie Wildes, his children: Wanda Shiver (Jerry), Rhonda Jewell (Randy), Tommy Wildes (Christy), Tracy Wildes (Susan), Rebekah Barnes (Larry), his 14 grandchildren: Chris, Kristi, Kimberly, Whitney, Sara, Leah, Tyler, Courtney, Hunter, Haley, Taylor, Kayla, Lauren, Brooke, 9 great-grandchildren, and his sister, Oweda Taylor.

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